Weighted Shortest Job First
Updated 2026-08-09
INTRODUCTION
English translation pending.
CORE DEFINITION
WSJF, Weighted Shortest Job First, sets priority through the formula of cost of delay divided by task size, where the cost of delay itself is the sum of user value, time value and risk reduction. As an economics-based prioritization method it looks beyond importance alone to the cost of delay and the size of the investment, so the team does the most profitable thing first.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
- Price the delay honestly: turn vague importance into money lost per unit of time. - Divide by the real size: favor the small job carrying the high delay cost. - Dethrone the loudest voice: let the ratio, and not the shouting, set the order.
Anchor fast decisions
Priority comes from cost of delay divided by size, which puts first the work with the highest output per unit of input, a large delay cost carried by a small job. The cost of delay is user value plus time urgency plus risk reduction, and the economic view replaces the rule of whoever shouts loudest.
MINIMUM ACTION
In progress 0/1Practice this model in one real situation:
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Source support: Explicit
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scaled_agile_frameworkverified
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