Information System Management Course: IT094IU

HCMC International University Date: 2018-03-16

Lecturers Nguyen Tien Dung Time: 3 hours

Lab Session #3

Each group refers to the Timebox and MoSCoW example available at: http://www.websitehoncho.
com/2011/10/moscow-prioritization-isnt-from-russia.html for discussion.

Problem 3.1: The 80:20 rule (3 points)

What does the 80:20 principle mean in real terms? Think of an example (discussed in your group)
where the 80:20 rule can be applied. Why can’t traditional development methods (such as the
waterfall method) conform to this model?

Problem 3.2: The MoSCoW rules (5 points)

Consider the following scenario: New Insurance Ltd urgently requires a telesales system to enable
telesales staff to quote for and sell a variety of motor insurance policies via the phone. This
system is urgent since One Step ahead Ltd, its main rivals in the field of motor insurance, launched
a successful telesales service two months ago.
After a series of consultation meetings with interested parties within the organisation, the following
list of requirements for the new system has been published:

• Customer database customer data entry, querying and updating

• Quotation database data entry, querying and updating of premiums
• Quotation screens enabling telesales staff to quote prices to customers
• Phone acceptance of insurance policy (and ensuing processes)
• Printing of insurance certificates and insurance schedules
• Automatic printing of renewal reminders
• Phone acceptance of renewals
• Automatic printing of payment reminders
• Phone acceptance of payment via credit/debit cards
• Management reports detailing daily/weekly/monthly premium sales
• Management reports detailing new customer business v. existing customer renewal
• Management reports profiling customer type/motor vehicle type/type of insurance
• Automatic back-up of database on a transaction-by-transaction basis
• Telesales security system with graded access to system functionality

1. Using the MoSCoW rules (discussed in your group), prioritise the above requirements into
one of the four categories.
2. Do you think the MoSCoW rules are an effective way of prioritising functionality? What
problems (if any) do you perceive with using this approach?

Problem 3.3: Timeboxes (2 points)

Give a simple definition of a timebox. Explain how a timebox enables an iterative and incremental
approach to delivery.

Each group submits a lab report by sending email to the submission system. A good report must
include analysis, proof or at least real examples and assessment.