MoSCoWmalli

MoSCoWmalli is a conceptual framework used in project management and product development to prioritize features or requirements. The acronym MoSCoW stands for four categories of importance: Must have, Should have, Could have, and Won't have. This prioritization technique helps teams focus on delivering the most critical elements first, ensuring that valuable outcomes are achieved even with limited resources or time.

The "Must have" category includes requirements that are absolutely essential for the product or project to be successful. Without these, the project would be considered a failure. "Should have" refers to features that are important and add significant value, but are not absolutely critical. If these are not included, the project might still succeed but will be less effective or desirable. "Could have" encompasses features that are desirable but less important. These are often considered "nice-to-haves" and can be included if time and resources permit, but their absence will not significantly impact the project's core success. Finally, "Won't have" (sometimes also referred to as "Would have but not now") represents features that are acknowledged but are explicitly excluded from the current scope, either because they are not a priority, are too costly, or are not feasible at this time.

MoSCoWmalli is typically applied during the planning or requirements gathering phase. It facilitates clear communication among stakeholders by providing a shared understanding of what is essential versus what is optional. By categorizing requirements, teams can make informed decisions about scope, manage expectations, and adapt to changing priorities more effectively. This method is particularly useful in agile environments where flexibility and iterative delivery are key.