The Kendis WSJF Viewer provides a dedicated, tabular view for calculating, prioritizing, and comparing features (or Epics/Capabilities) using the Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJF) prioritization model, as defined by SAFe. It enables product managers and product owners to collectively score features based on Cost of Delay (User-Business Value, Time Criticality, Risk Reduction/Opportunity Enablement) and Job Size to determine the optimal sequence of work. The primary purpose of using the WSJF Viewer in Kendis is to transform this calculated economic value into actionable priority, allowing users to automatically sort and sequence their backlog on the Program Board and Timeline View, directly linking prioritization to execution.
Video Guide
Key Benefits of Using the WSJF Viewer
Benefit | Description | Contextual Detail |
Single Source of Truth (SSOT) | Kendis allows you to map WSJF scores directly to fields in your Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) tool (Jira or ADO). This ensures that all WSJF values entered in Kendis are instantly synced back to your source system. | This bi-directional synchronization eliminates data duplication and keeps all planning artifacts consistent across platforms. |
Data-Driven Prioritization | Calculates a numerical WSJF score, ensuring that work is prioritized based on economic value (Cost of Delay / Job Size) rather than instinct. | The calculation is automatic upon entering the four component values. The resulting score can then be used to sort features on the Program Board and Timeline View. |
Transparent Scoring | Provides a dedicated space for collaborative scoring sessions, capturing every value and making the prioritization process transparent and auditable. | Use the History feature in the Settings menu to view who changed which score and when. |
Comparative Analysis | Allows users to create Comparison Criteria (groups) to prioritize a subset of features (e.g., a specific product release) and compare them against each other. | This is crucial when prioritizing features for a hard deadline, like a code freeze or a planned release. |
Customizable View | Offers multiple filtering, grouping, and sorting options to analyze the backlog from different perspectives, such as by Status, Card Type, or WSJF Score. | Column visibility can be toggled using the dropdown next to the Feature ID, Title... column header. |
Navigating and Using the WSJF Viewer
1. Enabling WSJF and ALM Field Sync
WSJF must first be enabled and mapped to your ALM tool (Jira or ADO) within the Board Settings. This step is typically performed by an Admin.
Navigate to your desired Kendis Program Board.
Click the "Settings" button (gear icon) in the top-right corner, and select "Edit Board Settings".
In the Edit Board Settings modal, navigate to the "Additional Settings" tab.
In the WSJF section, check the box labeled "Enable Scoring by WSJF (Weighted Shortest Job First)".
To establish bi-directional sync with your ALM, also check the box labeled "Enable Scoring by WSJF (Weighted Shortest Job First) With [Jira/ADO] Fields".
This reveals the field mapping section. Map each Kendis Field (UBV, TC, RR/OE, Job Size, WSJF Score) to the corresponding custom field in your ALM tool (Jira Fields or ADO Fields).
Click "Save" at the bottom of the modal.
Once enabled, access the viewer by clicking the "More" menu and selecting "WSJF".
2. Customizing the WSJF Formula Settings
A Super Admin can configure the maximum values used for scoring the WSJF components.
In the WSJF Viewer, locate the "Settings" button (gear icon) in the top-right corner.
Click "Settings" and select "Customize WSJF".
The "WSJF Settings" modal will appear with the "Formula Setup" tab selected.
You can adjust the Max Values for the four components:
User Business Value (UBV)
Time Criticality (TC)
Risk Reduction (RR) / Opportunity Enablement (OE)
Job Size
Cards Limit and Comparison Criteria Max Values are also configurable.
5. Click "Save" to apply your changes.
Context: The standard WSJF formula used by Kendis is:
WSJF=Job SizeUBV+TC+RR/OE
At the moment, the column headings are fixed to UBV, TC, RR/OE, and Job Size.
3. Entering WSJF Component Values
The core function of the viewer is entering scores for each feature. Any value entered here will automatically sync back to your ALM tool if field mapping is enabled (Section 1).
Locate the feature you wish to score in the table.
For the columns UBV, TC, and RR/OE, click inside the cell for the feature.
A dropdown will appear showing values from 1 to 20 (or your customized maximum). Select the appropriate value.
For the Job Size column, click inside the cell. Since this represents the relative size of the job, any numerical value can be manually entered.
The WSJF column on the far right will automatically calculate the final score based on the values entered.
4. Grouping and Comparing Features
To prioritize a subset of features, use the Compare Features function to create a new grouping criteria.
Why Use Comparison Criteria?
Scenario: Imagine you have 100 features in your backlog, but you are only targeting 15 features for the next planned Product Release with a fixed deadline (code freeze). You need to know which 15 features provide the absolute highest economic value relative to each other so you can cut the lowest-value items if the scope overruns. Creating a Comparison Group allows you to isolate and prioritize only those 15 features for precise sequencing.
Creating a New Comparison Group
Click the "Compare Features" dropdown button located above the table.
Select "New Comparison Criteria".
A pop-up will appear. Enter a descriptive Name for your group (e.g., "Important Release").
Use the search bar and checkboxes to select the specific Features you want to include in this group.
Click "Save".
Viewing and Comparing Groups
To view your newly created group, click the "Select Comparison Criteria" dropdown.
Select the Name of the group (e.g., "Product A" or "Important Release") from the list.
The table will now show only the features belonging to that group, allowing for an isolated prioritization and comparison.
Visual Comparison: When a group is selected, the feature table is followed by a series of interactive horizontal bar charts (one for each WSJF component and the final WSJF score). This provides a visual and comparative view of each feature's score against others in the group, allowing for quick side-by-side analysis of where value or job size is highest.
To hide the comparison criteria and view the full list again, click the "Reset" button next to the comparison criteria dropdown.
5. Filtering, Sorting, and Exporting Data
The viewer includes standard table controls for data manipulation.
Accessing Filters: Click the "Search..." bar at the top-left of the WSJF Viewer to reveal the complete filter pane, which includes Quick Filters, My Filters, and Feature Status dropdowns.
Note that this filter pane is the same one used across the Program Board and Timeline views. This consistency is intentional: filtering your features here ensures that your prioritization view precisely matches the features you see during planning in the other boards, preventing rework and maintaining planning integrity.
Action | Navigation / Feature | Detail |
Filtering | Top Filter Bar (above the table) | Use the dropdown arrows next to Feature ID, Title, Status, Card Type, and Estimate to filter data. You can select multiple values (e.g., "Feature" and "Enabler" for Card Type). |
Grouping | "No Groups" Dropdown | Group features by attributes like Team, Card Type, Status Category, or other basic fields. |
Sorting | Column Headers | Click on any column header (Feature ID, Title, WSJF, etc.) to sort the table ascending or descending. Sorting by WSJF score is the key prioritization function. |
Exporting | "Export" Button | Click the "Export" button next to "Compare Features" to download the table data as a CSV/Excel file. |
History | "Settings" → "Show History" | View a log of all changes made to WSJF values, including the date, time, user, and the old/new values. |
6. Applying WSJF Priority to Program and Timeline Views
Once features are scored in the WSJF Viewer, this score becomes a standard prioritization field available across your Kendis board views.
Sorting Features on the Program Board
The Program Board allows you to sort the feature list (left pane) using the calculated WSJF score. This is highly valuable during PI Planning because it ensures that teams are immediately looking at the highest-value features (highest WSJF score) first when pulling work from the backlog onto the board, driving the highest valuable return.
Navigate to the Program Board.
Locate the Features List pane on the left side.
Click the Sort dropdown at the top of the Features List.
Select "Sort by WSJF". Features will automatically re-order based on the highest score first (highest economic value).
To revert the sorting, use the same dropdown and select "Remove WSJF Sort".
Sorting Features on the Timeline View
The Timeline View also uses the WSJF score to order features in the left navigation pane.
Navigate to the Timeline View.
Click the "View: By Iteration" dropdown menu at the top-left of the timeline area.
Hover over "Sort Date" (or the current sort parameter).
Under the Feature section, you will find two options:
"WSJF - High to Low"
"WSJF - Low to High"
Select the desired option to reorganize the features displayed on the timeline based on their calculated WSJF priority.