MoSCoW is a prioritization technique used in business analysis and project management to categorize requirements into four levels of priority: Must have, Should have, Could have, and Won't have. This method helps teams focus on the most critical requirements that need to be satisfied for a project to be successful, while also identifying which requirements can be deferred or excluded if necessary.
Must have: These are non-negotiable requirements that are essential for the project's success. If these are not met, the project is considered a failure.
Should have: These are important but not critical requirements. They are high-priority items that can be scheduled for a future release without impacting the current one.
Could have: These are desirable requirements that do not affect the overall success of the project. They can be included if time and resources permit.
Won't have: These are the lowest priority requirements or those that are not necessary for the current delivery cycle. They are recognized but not planned for the current project timeline.
References: The MoSCoW method is detailed in the Dynamic System Development Method (DSDM) handbook and is widely used across various industries for effective project management