One of the key objectives of Agile software development is to reduce the time taken to go to the market while maximizing value. This is where it is important for the development teams to focus on things that can add more value. Trim the tail is an approach that a software development team can follow to get the job done while ensuring the best return.
Trimming the tail is a strategy that is associated with three different parts. The very first step would be to figure out the known social risks and technical skills. This has to be done as early as possible. After understanding the risks, it is possible to address them while running the tested features in smallest way possible. This should be done prior to the developments. In other words, this process has to be completed while the items are still on the backlog.
The second step in trimming the tail is to figure out the backlog items that are in a position to deliver the highest business value. Along with this understanding, it is possible to assign a high priority to the work and get them done in an effective manner. They will be implemented by the development team while running the tested features in the simplest possible way as well.
The final state associated with trimming the tail is to defer feature improvements and quality improvements back into the work queue, so that the development team is working to improve the overall value of the system. In here, the development team would implement a walking skeleton of the system and then proceed with the other developments, which can add more value into it. This will help them to release the basic product to the market that can add value to the business and introduce new features to it along with time.
— Slimane Zouggari