MoSCoW in the Kitchen

This article was first published on The Agile Baker blog on March 1, 2012.

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Our PMO has found itself without a manager!  Our leader is moving on to bigger and better things and what better way to celebrate her next step then with cupcakes. ;)

Like many organizations involved in software development these days, we are undergoing an agile transformation.  We have chosen to hop the pond over to London and go with an agile methodology called DSDM.  This methodology overlaps quite a bit with SCRUM during development phases (which is predominant in the U.S.) but provides a little more structure and formality in the earlier stages of a project for stage-gating projects, initial design, and process engineering. 

One of the things I really like about this methodology is the way it recommends tackling prioritization of needs.  The method is called MoSCoW and it stands for:

• Must Have

• Should Have

• Could Have

• Won't Have (at least right now). 

  
  

I wandered into my kitchen this evening thinking about cupcakes and found myself MoSCoW'ing the activity.  It went something like this:

"I must have a box mix because I don't have all of the ingredients or the time to make cupcakes from scratch." quick trip to the grocery store down the street ...

"I should have a nicer cake mix, since it's for my boss and I don't remember making cupcakes for her birthday this year.  Oh look!  Duncan Heinz Decadent cake mixes are on sale.  Sweet!"

Back in the kitchen..."I could make this cake mix even more exciting.  Wait, I think I have Kahlua.  Yes! I could also make a fun frosting instead of using the can of chocolate frosting in the cupboard.  Wait, where is that White Chocolate-Hazelnut Cheese Ball recipe from the Philadelphia Cream Cheese promotional cookbook?  I bet that would make the basis for a great frosting and I have left-over ingredients."

Finally, cupcakes frosted and... " I won't take the time to put finishing touches on them because (1) I don't have any cute sprinkles on hand and (2) I need to go squeeze my workout in."

Guess what, they turned out great and MoSCoW'ing the process took the experience from frenetic to enjoyable.

Without further ado, here's the recipe.

Kahlua Chocolate Cupcakes with White Chocolate Frosting:

• Duncan Heinz Decadent Triple Chocolate Cake Mix

• 1/3 cup Kahlua Liquor

Step 1: Prepare the cake mix as directed and pour into cupcake pans

Step 2: Prepare the chocolate pouch mix-in by replacing the 1/3 cup water with 1/3 cup Kahlua

Step 3. Spoon 1/2 tsp of the Kahlua mixture into the middle of each cupcake.  Bake at 350* for 22 minutes.

Frosting:

• 1 package of cream cheese, softened

• 3 tbsp of sugar (or to taste)

• 1.2 cup powdered sugar

• 2 tbsp of milk

• 5 ounces of Wilton's Candy Melts (white chocolate)

Step 1: Place the first 3 ingredients in a mixing bowl. 

Step 2: Melt the white chocolate in the microwave for 30 seconds.  Chocolate is very easy to burn.  You want the chocolate to start melting around the edges but still maintain its shape.  Stir with a fork to distribute the heat and melt the chocolate the rest of the way.  If you still have lumps, microwave in 10 second intervals and stir until chocolate is smooth.  Add melted white chocolate to mixing bowl.

Step 3: Beat the first four ingredients until fluffy.  While beating, gradually add the milk until your frosting reaches the desired consistency.

Et Voila!