The original purpose of an MBI (Minimum Business Increment) was to provide a structured and incremental approach to delivering value to customers and achieving business goals. MBIs are closely related to Agile and Lean principles, aiming to break down projects into smaller, manageable units that can be developed, tested, and delivered independently. MBIs allow organizations to validate assumptions, gather feedback, and adapt their plans based on real-world responses by focusing on the smallest increments that deliver tangible benefits to customers.

The Agile Manifesto, created in 2001 by a group of software developers and thought leaders, emphasizes the importance of "delivering working software frequently, with a preference to the shorter timescale." This core principle influenced the idea of breaking down work into smaller units that deliver value incrementally.

Over time, as Agile principles spread across various industries beyond software development, the concept of MBIs emerged to apply the Agile mindset to business initiatives more broadly. Organizations began to realize the value of delivering incremental customer value, leading to adopting and refining the MBI concept in different business contexts.

As with many concepts in the Agile world, the idea of MBIs has evolved and been shaped by the contributions and experiences of many practitioners and organizations over time. While no single person or entity can be credited with "inventing" the concept, MBIs have become a valuable tool for organizations seeking to improve their value delivery process and respond more effectively to customer needs.

Agenda:

What are MBIs?
Connection to Value streams
Examples of MBIs
Summary