The Timebox

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The Timebox

by Doug DeCarlo

December 26, 2005


A timebox is a short, fixed period of time during which team members attempt to meet a specific goal. The goal can be to complete a set of technical or functional requirements, meet a delivery target (e.g., beta test systems in place for 150 users), produce a working prototype, etc. As such, the timebox addresses Business Question 3: Can we do what it takes?

Can We Do What It Takes?  
Timeboxing is based on real-life experiences rather than on guesswork about what we think it will take to accomplish something. That “something” can be the feasibility of meeting one or more of the following:  
  • Budget requirements
  • Schedule
  • Technical requirements
  • Quality requirements
  • Scope requirements
  • Requisite skills (quantity or quality)
  • Customer satisfaction
  • Team satisfaction
Because the timebox consists of doing real work in a focused, goal-oriented way, decision makers are able to make decisions on the future course of the project regarding any of the variables listed above, and do so based on facts rather than on speculation.



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"If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?"
- Albert Einstein