What is the 80% rule in agile?

The 80% rule in Agile, also known as the “Pareto Principle” or the “Law of the Vital Few,” suggests that focusing on the most significant tasks or features that deliver 80% of the value will often yield the most significant impact.

• In Agile development, this principle guides teams to prioritize their efforts on the essential features or requirements that will provide the most value to the customer or end-user.
• By focusing on the critical 20% of features or tasks that deliver 80% of the value, teams can ensure they are maximizing their resources and delivering the most valuable outcomes efficiently.

This approach helps prevent scope creep, minimizes unnecessary work, and enables faster delivery of high-value functionality. Additionally, it allows teams to adapt and respond quickly to changing priorities or market conditions while still delivering meaningful results.