Time management is an oxymoron. Time is beyond our control, and the clock keeps ticking regardless of how we lead our lives. Priority management is the answer to maximizing the time we have.
~ John C. Maxwell
When it comes to prioritizing features and requirements, having a clear system is essential. While the MoSCoW method (Must have, Should have, Could have, Won’t have) has been widely used, I believe the Kyiv framework offers a more intuitive and realistic approach to prioritization.
Let me explain why.
Understanding the Kyiv Framework
The Kyiv prioritization framework consists of four clear categories:
- K eep for sure: These are non-negotiable, essential features that must be included
- Y es, if we possibly can: High-value features we’re strongly committed to implementing
- I f we have extra budget, we will: Desirable features contingent on personel availability
- V ery unlikely: Features acknowledged but realistically unlikely to be implemented
Why Kyiv outperforms MoSCoW
1. More honest communication
The Kyiv framework uses more transparent language. “Keep for sure” is a stronger commitment than “Must have”, and “Very unlikely” is more honest than “Won’t have”. This clarity helps manage stakeholder expectations more effectively.
2. Better budget awareness
Kyiv explicitly acknowledges budget constraints with its “If we have extra budget” phrasing. This builds financial reality directly into the prioritisation process, unlike MoSCoW which can create an artificial separation between feature desires and personel/financial constraints.
3. More nuanced phrasing
The middle phrasing in Kyiv (“Yes, if we possibly can” and “If we have extra budget”) provide better differentiation than MoSCoW’s somewhat ambiguous “Should have” and “Could have” distinctions, which teams often struggle to meaningfully separate.
4. Psychological benefits
The positivity in Kyiv’s language (“Yes, if we possibly can”) creates a more collaborative atmosphere than MoSCoW’s more directive tone. This subtle difference can improve stakeholder relationships and team morale.
Implementing Kyiv in your projects
Transitioning from MoSCoW to Kyiv is straightforward. Start by recategorizing your requirements using the new framework, and take time to discuss with stakeholders what each category truly means for your specific project context.
The most important aspect is ensuring everyone understands that “Keep for sure” truly represents the minimum viable product/feature, while “Very unlikely” items are acknowledged but shouldn’t create false expectations.
Conclusion
While MoSCoW has served the project management community, the Kyiv framework offers a refreshing update with more realistic language, better budget awareness, and improved communication clarity. By adopting this approach, teams can better manage expectations, allocate people and resources more effectively, and ultimately deliver more successful projects.
What prioritization framework does your team use? Would you consider switching to Kyiv?
One more thing 🇺🇦
In choosing the name Kyiv for this prioritization framework, I want to acknowledge the real city of Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. Just like this framework represents clarity and honest communication in project management, the Ukrainian people have demonstrated remarkable resilience, determination, and clarity of purpose in defending their sovereignty and freedom.
The values embedded in the Kyiv framework, “commitment to what truly matters, honest assessment of possibilities, and transparent communication”, reflect qualities we’ve seen in the Ukrainian response to adversity. As we implement these principles in our work, we can draw inspiration from the courage shown by those living in Kyiv and the rest of Ukraine.
When using this framework in your next project, perhaps it can serve as a small reminder of the strength of the Ukrainian people. Their unwavering focus on what they must “keep for sure”: their freedom, culture, and independence, offers a powerful parallel to how we might approach our own priorities, albeit in a much different context.
Please consider supporting the Ukrainan people at United24.
Slava Ukraini!