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Yacht-Master II

THE SKIPPERS’ WATCH

The Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master II is a unique regatta chronograph dedicated to both experienced sailors and yachting enthusiasts.

A PROFESSIONAL REGATTA CHRONOGRAPH

As in any contest of speed, precision and synchronization are of the essence in a regatta. The Yacht-Master II is equipped with a countdown that can be programmed from 10 to 1 minutes, allowing the wearer to precisely time and follow each race’s specific official starting procedure, which generally unfolds in three stages, marked by sound and visual signals. This flexibility is one of the major assets of the Yacht-Master II; its development was a considerable mechanical challenge. Furthermore, the programming can be mechanically memorized, which makes it possible to start a new countdown without having to reprogramme the watch, for example in the next leg or a subsequent regatta with identical countdown duration.

Once launched, the countdown can be synchronized on the fly to match the official countdown via the ‘fly-back’ reset function of the seconds hand and adjustment of the countdown minute hand to the nearest minute.

RING COMMAND SYSTEM

The countdown’s sophisticated functions were designed to be easily set and operated. The preliminary programming of up to 10 minutes is accessed, and then locked, via the rotatable bezel thanks to Ring Command, a system of interaction between the bezel, the winding crown and the movement, developed by Rolex. Its development, a feat of technical prowess, was made possible by the brand’s complete in-house mastery over the design and manufacturing processes, from the case and bracelet to the movement with its many components.

BEZEL WITH CERACHROM INSERT

The bidirectional rotatable bezel on the Yacht-Master II is equipped with a monobloc Cerachrom insert in blue ceramic. This patented insert is made of an extremely hard, virtually scratchproof ceramic whose colour is unaffected by ultraviolet rays. In addition, thanks to its chemical composition, the high-tech ceramic is inert and cannot corrode. The numerals and inscriptions are moulded in the ceramic and coloured with gold or platinum using a PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) process.

CHROMALIGHT DISPLAY

The Yacht-Master II is an extremely legible watch in all circumstances and even in the dark thanks to the Chromalight display; the hour markers and hands are filled or coated with a luminescent material emitting a long-lasting blue glow – for up to two times longer than traditional phosphorescent materials.

THE YACHT-MASTER II, SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER CERTIFIED

Like all Rolex watches, the Yacht-Master II is covered by the Superlative Chronometer certification redefined by Rolex in 2015. This exclusive designation attests that every watch leaving the brand’s workshops has successfully undergone a series of tests conducted by Rolex in its own laboratories and according to its own criteria. These certification tests are carried out on the fully assembled watch, after casing the movement, guaranteeing superlative performance on the wrist in terms of precision, power reserve, waterproofness and self-winding. The Superlative Chronometer status is symbolized by the green seal that comes with every Rolex watch and is coupled with an international five-year guarantee.

The precision of every movement – officially certified as a chronometer by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) – is tested a second time by Rolex after being cased, to ensure that it meets criteria for precision that are far stricter than those of the official certification. The precision of a Rolex Superlative Chronometer is of the order of −2/+2 seconds per day – the rate deviation tolerated by the brand for a finished watch is significantly smaller than that accepted by COSC for official certification of the movement alone.

The Superlative Chronometer certification testing is carried out after casing using state-of-the-art equipment specially developed by Rolex and according to an exclusive protocol that simulates the conditions in which a watch is actually worn and more closely represents real-life experience. The entirely automated series of tests also checks the waterproofness, the self-winding capacity and the power reserve of 100 per cent of Rolex watches. These tests systematically complement the qualification testing upstream during development and production, in order to ensure the watches’ reliability, robustness, and resistance to strong magnetic fields and to shocks.

THE OYSTER CASE, SYMBOL OF WATERPROOFNESS

The Yacht-Master II’s Oyster case, 44 mm in diameter and guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet), is a paragon of robustness and reliability. The middle case is crafted from a solid block of Oystersteel or 18 ct gold. The case back, edged with fine fluting, is hermetically screwed down with a special tool that allows only certified Rolex watchmakers to access the movement. The Triplock winding crown, fitted with a triple waterproofness system, screws down securely against the case. It is protected by a crown guard that is an integral part of the middle case. The crystal is made of virtually scratchproof sapphire and benefits from an anti-reflective coating. The waterproof Oyster case provides optimal protection for the movement it houses .

PERPETUAL CALIBRE 4161

The Yacht-Master II is equipped with calibre 4161, a self-winding mechanical chronograph movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex. A consummate demonstration of technology, this movement offers outstanding performance, particularly in terms of precision, power reserve, convenience and reliability.

Calibre 4161 is based on the 4130 chronograph movement, which equipped the Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona until 2022. It is fitted with a traversing column wheel and vertical clutch for an instantaneous and extremely precise chronograph start.

The movement incorporates the blue Parachrom hairspring, manufactured by Rolex in a paramagnetic alloy. In addition to resisting strong magnetic fields, this hairspring offers great stability in the face of temperature variations as well as high resistance to shocks. It is equipped with a Rolex overcoil, ensuring the calibre’s regularity in any position.

The oscillator of calibre 4161 has a large balance wheel with variable inertia regulated extremely precisely via gold Microstella nuts. It is held firmly in place by a height-adjustable traversing bridge enabling very stable positioning to increase shock resistance.

Calibre 4161 is fitted with a self-winding system via a Perpetual rotor, which ensures continuous winding of the mainspring by harnessing the movements of the wrist to provide constant energy. It offers a power reserve of approximately 72 hours.

The Yacht-Master II’s movement will be seen only by certified Rolex watchmakers, yet it is beautifully finished and decorated in keeping with the brand’s uncompromising quality standards.

BRACELET AND CLASP, SECURE AND COMFORTABLE

The Yacht-Master II is available on a three-piece link Oyster bracelet that is equipped with a Rolex-designed, patented Oysterlock safety clasp, which prevents accidental opening. The bracelet is additionally fitted with the Easylink comfort extension link, developed by the brand. This system allows the wearer to easily increase the bracelet length by approximately 5 mm, for additional comfort in any circumstance.

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Rolex Yacht-Master II

• Yacht-Master II
• Yacht-Master
• Rolex 116688
• Rolex 116689
• $7,000 to $10,000
• $10,000 to $15,000
• $15,000 to $20,000
• Stainless Steel
• Yellow Gold
• 2010 to Present

• $ 26,995 Buy
• Get Quote Sell

• $ 22,495 Buy

• $ 27,995 Buy

Cash wire prices shown. Prices may be higher if other payment methods are selected.*

About The Rolex Yacht-Master II

The Rolex Yacht-Master II was released in 2007 and has since become a pillar of the Big Crown’s maritime-inspired collection of timepieces. The Yacht-Master II was developed for yacht racing and includes a programmable countdown mechanism that can be adjusted from 1 to 10 minutes. The Yacht-Master II's regatta chronograph is also another noteworthy feature, allowing seafarers to time their maneuvers with the utmost accuracy.

Why Choose Us

Bob's Watches is a trusted and dependable seller of luxury certified pre-owned Rolex watches. With over 20 years of combined expertise, we have earned a stellar reputation for our knowledge, customer service, and devotion to authenticity. Each watch is subjected to a rigorous authentication and servicing process, and Bob's Watches includes a 1-year warranty on every watch sold, giving customers peace of mind and confidence in their investment.

Looking to Sell Your Rolex?

Unlock the value of your treasured timepiece by selling your Rolex with Bob's Watches. Our expert team handles each watch with utmost care and professionalism. With our seamless and trusted process, we ensure your experience is top-notch. Parting with your luxury watch becomes as effortless and rewarding as the moments it has tracked for you. Get started today by visiting our Sell Rolex watch page.

Testimonials

Nathaniel g..

"I had wanted a Yacht-Master for as long as I could remember, but could never justify the high price of buying new. Once I realized that buying pre-owned might be a smarter option, I searched around the internet, but only Bob's Watches made me feel comfortable with making such a large purchase online. I understood their business model, and past customers' reviews were very positive. The prices were competitive as well, and rivaled those of less-trustworthy dealers. Once I made my choice, there was a slight hiccup in the process to wire funds, but when I called in, the problem was quickly resolved.

I received my watch a few days later, and it looked stunning. When the site says "mint condition," it means it! Bob's was also able to tell me when the watch was last serviced, which (in combination with the one-year warranty) gives me peace-of-mind. As I look to expand my collection of watches, I'm sure I'll be a repeat customer of Bob's Watches."

Review originally published on Trustpilot

"I have been shopping for the Rolex Yachtmaster for the better part of a year. I visited multiple jewelers & brokers in my area. Either they were of poor condition or over priced. Then I found Bobs Watches. The staff was expeditious and courteous. They sent me new photos of the watch upon request with no hesitation. The service, price, and condition of the watch was without compare. I am now a lifelong customer of Bobs Watches, I cannot imagine buying from any other source."

Review originally published on Google

Expert Opinion

"The Rolex Yacht-Master II is a true masterpiece of engineering and design . The programmable countdown function is amazingly useful for avid sailors and sailing enthusiasts, and the regatta chronograph is both precise and dependable. The watch exudes a sense of opulence and prestige, and it's easy to understand why it's one of the most coveted pre-owned Rolex watches on the market today."

- Paul Altieri, Founder & CEO of Bob’s Watches

Price Trends

The Rolex Yacht-Master II is a prized collector’s item, and its value has steadily grown over the years due to demand and inventory. The watch's complex design, trailblazing technology, and premium materials add to its price and make it a sensible investment. While prices differ depending on influences such as model, condition, and availability, the Yacht-Master II is overall considered a luxury item with an appropriate price tag to reflect its status.

Used Rolex Yacht-Master II Prices

disc. = discontinued

Popular Rolex Yacht-Master II Watch Comparisons

Rolex yacht-master ii 116680 vs 116681.

The Rolex Yacht-Master II 116680 and 116681 are both remarkable timepieces in their own right, highly regarded for their distinctive features and design. The primary difference between the two Rolex watches is their metal finish; the 116680 has a stainless steel finish, while the 116681 features a combination of steel and Everose gold, called Everose Rolesor. Ultimately, choosing between the two Yacht-Master IIs comes down to personal preference and style.

Rolex Yacht-Master II 116688 vs 116689

The Rolex Yacht-Master II 116688 and 116689 are two outstanding precious metal luxury watches coveted by collectors and Rolex devotees alike. The major difference between the two models is their metal finish, with the 116688 being crafted completely from 18k yellow gold, while the 116689 pairs white gold with a platinum bezel. Both Yacht-Master IIs are equipped with advanced watchmaking technologies like a programmable countdown timer and a regatta chronograph function, making them perfect for boating and other maritime activities. Ultimately, the choice between either model comes down to personal preference, cost, and style.

Popular Nicknames

The Rolex Yacht-Master II has earned a few well-known nicknames since coming to market among Rolex enthusiasts and avid luxury watch collectors. Some of the most popular monikers are the "Regatta Timer" or simply "Regatta" because of its programmable countdown timer function, which was developed for nautical competitions. It is also often called the "Big Yacht" due to its robust size and polarizing design. Finally, some collectors refer to it simply as the “Yacht 2.”

Rolex Yacht Master II Reference Models

The Rolex Yacht-Master II is a cult favorite with a versatile selection of reference models to accommodate different preferences and styles. The most sought-after reference models are the 116680 and 116681, which sport stainless steel and steel and Everose gold metal finishes, respectively. The 116688 and 116689 are made completely from precious metals and are ideal for those in the market for a more extravagant wristwatch.

Learn more about the collection by visiting our Rolex Yacht-Master II buying guide .

Key Features

Rolex yacht-master ii dials.

Rolex prefers to only produce the purpose-driven Yacht-Master II with a simple and clean white dial. Additionally, all Yacht-Master II dials have legible hour markers and hands, making the watch an ideal tool for all maritime activities.

Rolex Yacht-Master II Movements

The Rolex Yacht-Master II is powered by a highly complex mechanical movement famous for its unparalleled precision and dependability. The watch currently features Rolex's in-house caliber 4161, which is an automatic mechanical movement with an extraordinary power reserve of 72 hours. Additionally, the movement boasts a programmable countdown timer and a regatta chronograph function, making it a favorite among regatta and sailing enthusiasts.

Rolex Yacht-Master II Sizes

The Yacht-Master II is one of the largest models in the Rolex portfolio, at 44mm in diameter. While quite large by Rolex’s standards, the 44mm case is necessary to house the complex movement and sophisticated Ring Command bezel. Collectors who prefer a watch with a more robust size and weight will appreciate the distinctive Yacht Master II in 44mm.

Rolex Yacht-Master II Materials

The Rolex Yacht-Master II is crafted with superior materials that are both durable and timeless. The collection is sold in a handful of material options, including stainless steel, gold, and a combination of steel and precious metals like Everose Rolesor or white gold and platinum. Additionally, the watch has a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and a highly resilient Cerachrom bezel made from ceramic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the yacht-master 2 hold its value.

The Rolex Yacht-Master II is infamous for holding its value long term. Due to its outstanding craftsmanship, groundbreaking features, and refined design, it is a popular watch among avid Rolex collectors and aficionados. As a result, the Yacht-Master II usually to hold its value well and might even appreciate over time, making it a solid investment for those in the market for a high-end timepiece.

Is the Rolex Yacht-Master 2 being discontinued?

There are currently no signs that the Rolex Yacht-Master II will be discontinued any time soon. Rolex is known for fostering the continuity of its staple collections, and the Yacht-Master II has been a massively successful model since its release in the mid-2000s. In fact, Rolex continues to make changes to the Yacht-Master II collection, which suggests that it is still an important part of the brand's portfolio.

Why is Rolex Yacht-Master so expensive?

The Rolex Yacht-Master is an expensive watch because of its extraordinary quality, innovative design, and use of high-end materials. Rolex is known for its rigorous quality control and tireless pursuit of perfection and precise craftsmanship, which produces a watch that is enduring, accurate, and reliable. Additionally, the Yacht-Master offers the wearer a range of groundbreaking features and functionalities, including a programmable countdown timer and regatta chronograph function, which also contributes to its premium and demand among collectors and enthusiasts.

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The art of command

The Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master II in Oystersteel and Everose gold with an Oyster bracelet and a bidirectional rotatable bezel with a blue Cerachrom insert .

Ring command bezel, a synchronized countdown.

Rolex achieved perfection when it turned its attention to redefining the purpose and functionality of the bezel. Typically, a bezel operates independently from the internal mechanism; however, the Ring Command bezel in the Yacht-Master II regatta chronograph operates in conjunction with it.

As a mechanical component linked to the movement, the bezel literally acts as the key to the programmable countdown, allowing it to be set and synchronised to the sequence of race start times. Complex in design, but simple in use, it is functionally beautiful.

A characteristic aesthetic

The Yacht-Master II is equipped with a new dial, and new hands that are characteristic of Rolex Professional models, enhancing legibility and sharpening its aesthetic appeal. The dial now features a triangular hour marker at 12 o’clock and a rectangular hour marker at 6 o’clock for more intuitive reading of the watch.

A luminescent disc on the hour hand clearly distinguishes it from the minute hand. The Yacht-Master II’s countdown can be programmed for a duration of between 1 and 10 minutes. The programming is memorized by the mechanism so that at a reset it returns to the previous setting. Once launched, the countdown can be synchronized on the fly to match the official race countdown.

Everose Rolesor

A meeting of two metals.

Gold is coveted for its lustre and nobility. Steel reinforces strength and reliability. Together, they harmoniously combine the best of their properties.

A true Rolex signature, Rolesor has featured on Rolex models since the early 1930s, and was trademarked as a name in 1933. It is one of the prominent pillars of the Oyster collection.

The Oyster bracelet

Alchemy of form and function.

The Oyster bracelet is a perfect alchemy of form and function, aesthetics and technology, designed to be both robust and comfortable. It is equipped with an Oysterlock folding clasp, which prevents accidental opening and the Easylink comfort extension link, also exclusive to Rolex.

This ingenious system allows the wearer to increase the bracelet length by approximately 5 mm, providing additional comfort in any circumstance.

More Yacht-Master technical details

Reference   116681

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Oyster, 44 mm, Oystersteel and Everose gold

Oyster architecture

Monobloc middle case, screw-down case back and winding crown

Everose Rolesor - combination of Oystersteel and Everose gold

Rolex Ring Command (bidirectional 90° rotatable interacting with the movement) in gold with blue Cerachrom insert in ceramic and numerals coated in gold

Winding crown

Screw-down, Triplock triple waterproofness system

Scratch-resistant sapphire

Water resistance

Waterproof to 100 metres / 330 feet

Perpetual, mechanical, self-winding, regatta chronograph

4161, Manufacture Rolex

-2/+2 sec/day, after casing

Centre hour and minute hands, small seconds hand at 6 o'clock. Programmable countdown with mechanical memory and on-the-fly synchronization. Stop-seconds for precise time setting

Paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring

Bidirectional self-winding via Perpetual rotor

Power reserve

Approximately 72 hours

Oyster, three-piece solid links

Folding Oysterlock safety clasp with Easylink 5 mm comfort extension link

Highly legible Chromalight display with long-lasting blue luminescence

Certification

Superlative Chronometer (COSC + Rolex certification after casing)

Learn how to set the time and other functions of your Rolex watch by consulting our user guides.

Yacht-Master II

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Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master II Hands-On

The year is 2011 and this conversation is overheard in a Rolex boutique.

“Good morning.” “Good morning, sir, how may we help you?” “I’d like a large Rolex.” “That’d be the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master II. Here you go, sir.” “I’ll take that, thank you. Bye.” “Bye!”

All images by David Bredan

The Large Rolex

For the longest time, and I’ll take the blame for this, I couldn’t see the Yacht-Master II as nothing more than  The Large Rolex . The 44mm wide Yacht-Master II was the go-to large Rolex, with a massive gap in size between it and the 40mm Sea-Dwellers, Submariners, and others. Debuted in 2007, the Yacht-Master II was followed just next year by the absolutely massive Deepsea that had the same width at 44mm but was considerably thicker, so it both appeared and wore much, much larger than the YMII, placing it far off the map for most.

The Sky-Dweller made its debut in 2012, and while it also looks and wears large, until 2017 it was exclusively available in solid gold cases, rendering it about 40% more expensive than the two-tone YMII that had already been available by 2012. I did look these things up – wouldn’t want to pose as someone who remembers all this. No wonder then, that the Yacht-Master II became The Large Rolex worn by premiership ballerinas footballers, celebrities, and… basically everyone who wanted in on the large watch craze with a Rolex, but didn’t like or couldn’t afford the Sky-Dweller. The fact that Rolex took so long and only debuted the larger, 43mm wide Sea-Dweller in 2017 is just Rolex being its usual cautious self that caused it to nearly miss the boat on the large watch trend – but that’s for another discussion.

Stars aligned and I ended up in a Rolex boutique with a camera in one hand and the Yacht-Master II in the other – welcome to watch blogger life. It was only there that I realized I should have cared about the Yacht-Master II because my goodness, it is a truly impressive piece of watchmaking. It’s the Bentley of watches: big, brash, and showy, bought by a demographic that people not part of are keen not to be associated with… But beyond all that lies a deeply impressive, well-made, uniquely cool product.

I am realizing now that it might as well just be my boredom with the Submariners and Datejusts speaking, but as I was reviewing my images on the spot on the camera’s screen (not even a larger, better display) I realized the many intricate and well-made details of the Yacht-Master II. It’s proper Rolex through and through – you’d never ever mistake the entire watch or any of its details for anything but a Rolex – but at the same time its functionality, layout, as well as its case and dial design are all refreshingly unique.

Yes, that’s what got me. The weird, piston-style pushers (that need not be screwed down), the weird, but strangely beautiful proportions of the lugs and bezel, the incredible quality of the blue ceramic bezel and its laser-etched, PVD-coated numerals, the weird arch of the dial that resembles (in my mind at least) a gauge of a submarine, and the ADD-curing tactile feel of the Ring Command bezel. These make the Yacht-Master II not only unlike any other Rolex, but unlike any other watch. How did this happen?

Whether or not Rolex had the large watch trend on its mind when designing the Yacht-Master II, we’ll never know. I have no hopes in receiving a definitive “yes, we did” or “no, we didn’t” answer from them. The Yacht-Master II was designed with a programmable fly-back regatta chronograph ( ooooh, just writing that down felt strangely satisfying ) and it was also the watch to debut Rolex’s Ring Command rotating bezel system that was later also used in the Sky-Dweller.

We’ll look at how it all works soon but for a second imagine the amount of R&D time and effort that must have gone into designing what is now called the Manufacture Rolex Calibre 4161 “with some 360 components.” What the heck, even Rolex appears to be proud of this movement as this, I believe, is the only movement they proactively communicate the exact component count of. It is known that the 4130 chronograph in the Daytona has 201 parts, but Rolex officially only ever said they managed to reduce the chronograph’s component count by 60%, without providing the total 201 count – and as far as the other movements are concerned, no exact component figure is ever shared.

Give or take the large watch trend, the Yacht-Master II is also something else: it’s Rolex’s love letter to one of its obscure, but long-standing passions, yachting. Worry not, I’ll spare you the long, teary-eyed story of all that’s exciting about yachting. That’s partly because I’ve never been on a racing yacht and partly because it’s irrelevant in this discussion – you either already are a skipper at heart, or if you’re not, my measly few words won’t get you started. Rolex has produced a number of longer videos on the topic, so if you can take 24 minutes of “uplifting-instrumental-music.mp3” and are desperate to learn more about yachting, then I suggest you watch the video above. But only then.

So, looking at it strictly as a watch, without its implications, customer base, or inspiration, what do we have with the Rolex Yacht-Master II? From my time with it, I came away with a new-found admiration for its many impressive feats starting with its mechanical engineering and ending with its countless neatly executed details. The Rolex Yacht-Master II was specifically designed for regatta yacht races where the starting procedure of the race requires each yacht to be positioned as best as possible when a given time limit expires. From what I understand this time limit before the actual start varies between 5 and 10 minutes and so skippers need a regatta timer watch with a countdown timer (i.e. a reverse chronograph) that can be programmed to count down from a pre-set time between 5 and 10 minutes. When the officials give a signal, the countdown begins, the pre-set regatta chronographs are started, and the maneuvering begins.

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Red Yacht-Master II

The Pro Hunter Red Yacht-Master II has a diamond-like carbon coating on a 44mm case. The specially customised black and red dial is signed with the Pro Hunter logo in red.

Complete with a Pro Hunter NATO strap in black. Limited to 100 pieces only, all Pro Hunters come brand new with box, papers and 5 year warranty.

$ 36,500.00

Rolex Yacht-Master II, 116680, 44mm

Scratch-resistant sapphire, water resistance, waterproof to 100 metres / 330 feet, perpetual, mechanical, self-winding, regatta chronograph, centre hour and minute hands, small seconds hand at 6 o'clock. programmable countdown with mechanical memory and on-the-fly synchronization. stop-seconds for precise time setting, dial customizations, black dial and sub-dial. red customisation on minute markers, 'swiss made' text, countdown border and countdown separators. countdown arm in black. signed with pro hunter logo in red, oyster, flat three-piece links, bracelet material, oystersteel, get ready to be blown away.

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Prioritization Methods and Techniques – Part 2: MoSCoW Method

In my previous article, Prioritization Methods and Techniques - Part 1: Why Prioritize and the Kano Model , I talked about the need to prioritize and the Kano model as a prioritization method. In this second article in the series on prioritization methods and techniques, I will discuss the MoSCoW method.

The MoSCoW method is a highly widespread prioritization method which was popularized by Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM). The term MoSCoW has nothing to do with the capital of Russia. It is an acronym derived from the first letter of each of four prioritization categories – Must have, Should have, Could have and Won’t have.[1] The two “O” are added to make the word pronounceable.

Must have: This category contains requirements or features that are absolutely mandatory. Those are fundamental to the system (being a product or a service). If any of them are neglected, the system will certainly not work or will have no value for the customer.

Should have: These features are important, ideally, we should have them for the system to work correctly. If they are not there, a workaround may be possible, but it can be costly or cumbersome. Yet, they are not mandatory and therefore do not have the highest priority. Simply put, they don’t have much impact on delivery success right now, though they must be implemented soon enough (after the “must-haves”).

Could have: These are useful additions (often small-scale improvements) that add tangible value. These are “nice-to-have” requests. In general, they do not take considerable resources, but they are not essential to implement either. Their absence won’t affect almost anything, or at least wouldn’t impact the release negatively.

Won’t have (sometimes also known as “would like to have, but not this time”): These items are not worth the investment (of time, money, energy) and are unlikely to make the cut (at least not in the near future). These requirements are of the lowest importance and can be easily omitted (definitely considered out of scope for the first release) or rescheduled for future releases.

When prioritizing requirements in a project, DSDM recommends no more than 60% effort for “must-haves” requirements and a sensible pool of “could-haves”, usually around 20% effort (see Figure 1 below). Anything that is higher than 60% effort for the “must-haves” poses a risk to the success and predictability of the project, unless the environment and the used technology are well understood, there are minimal external risks/dependencies and the team is experienced and well established. Note that we are talking about a balance based on estimated effort of requirements (i.e. the expected time it takes to implement the prioritized features) and not total number of requirements. When calculating effort for a specific timeframe (e.g. first release), “won’t haves” are excluded, as they are considered out of scope for this timeframe.[2]

Figure 1: Balancing priorities using the MoSCoW prioritization technique (recommendation by DSDM[2])

Practical example

Let’s take a simple practical example. How can you categorize the features required to manufacture a child’s bicycle?

Must have: two wheels ; a frame

Should have: brakes for safe stopping; pedals; ability to adjust the saddle to accommodate growth; safety cover for the chain; stabilizers or the ability to fit them when needed (the last two features can also be classified as “could-haves” depending how essential they are for the child/parents)

Could have: bell or horn to alert others in proximity; attractive color of the bike; front suspension; Presta valves for inflating tires

Won’t have: valve caps to cover the tires valve; Bluetooth bike speaker

Even though it may seem strange not to have the pedals and the brakes in the “must have” category, in reality they are not mandatory for a child’s bike. By definition a bike is two-wheeled transportation device, so it must certainly have two wheels and a frame to link the wheels together, but everything else is subject to discussion and negotiation. For example, small kids can learn to ride a bike by simply using their feet, so no pedals and brakes are really needed. This simple example also shows that there is often a disconnect between expectations and requirements. People often have high level of expectations, but high expectations are different from must-have requirements which are mandatory and non-negotiable.

Let’s now look at the advantages and disadvantages of the MoSCoW method.

Pros of MoSCoW

• Simplicity. The MoSCoW method is one of the simplest prioritization techniques. It does not require searching for detailed data or making complicated calculations. So, it is easy to master and use because it is based on simple principles. Using this prioritization scheme in a product management context promotes mutual understanding between product people (product managers and product owners) and stakeholders. It is also a great method to resolve conflicts and to bring stakeholders to consensus. Prioritizing work using MoSCoW is fast and transparent.
• Agility for flexible scheduling and implementation. Since this prioritization method has no strict time limits for the implementation, except for the “must-have” category (items there should always go first and be implemented as soon as possible), it allows for flexible implementation timeframes per feature. Therefore, a team can easily adjust feature deliveries or releases on favorable terms based on agreement with customers/stakeholders.

Cons of MoSCoW

The MoSCoW technique is very simple, but such simplicity comes with some pitfalls.

• The technique lacks a clear consistency of implementation and lacks specific planning per feature. Even though priorities can be easily and quickly set, the MoSCoW method prioritizes the backlog items in four categories (in a similar fashion to the Kano model, covered in my previous article, which also prioritizes features in different categories), so it does not introduce any sequencing of features/backlog items and lacks specific planning. This makes it quite challenging for product people to decide on the exact priority of a feature compared to another one within the same category. At the end of the day, this drawback might put the entire release at risk.
• MoSCoW classification rules can be subjective and this creates imbalance between the absolutely required (must have or mandatory) and slightly desirable. Often, the blurred lines between categories make it hard to decide in which category a feature should go into, specifically when we talk about “must-have” and “should-have” lists. But it is sometimes also the case between “should-haves” and could-haves”. This happens due to the subjectivity of requirements. Therefore, features or stories allocated to the different categories should be approached with great thought and care and the chosen categorization should be agreed with (or well explained to) all stakeholders.

When to use the MoSCoW method

The MoSCoW method is probably the simplest and most widespread prioritization scheme for new product development, and more specifically for small products. But as we saw above, this technique also has its disadvantages and is not always effective. For instance, if you have a complicated backlog with many time-sensitive releases, consider choosing other prioritization method or complementing MoSCoW with another more accurate or comprehensive technique.

On the other hand, it is quite reasonable to use MoSCoW when prioritizing work for small (and not too complex) products, which does not have many technical limitations. The MoSCoW requirements help product people and teams take a strategic, orderly approach to prioritization. This method is great for avoiding wasted time, arguments and misdirection.

In my next article I will talk about the Eisenhower matrix. Meanwhile, if you want to know more about prioritizing using the MoSCoW method, please feel free to contact me.

About this article or just curious about working at BlinkLane? Contact Martin or take a look at our open vacancy .

References:

[1] Griffiths, M. (2012). PMI-ACP Exam Prep (2nd ed.). RMC Publications Inc.

[2] Agile Business Consoritum (n.d.). Chapter 10: MoSCoW Prioritisation. Retrieved from https://www.agilebusiness.org/page/ProjectFramework_10_MoSCoWPrioritisation

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