Weekly Deliverables: A Key to Achieving Long-Term Goals
Break down big goals into weekly deliverables for steady progress. Learn how Agile principles can guide personal and professional success.
This article was originally published in 2014, and has been updated in 2025.
The Value of Weekly Deliverables in Achieving Success
In both software development and life, how we approach progress can make or break our goals. Two popular methodologies—Waterfall and Agile—offer contrasting philosophies on managing projects. While Waterfall emphasizes a linear, rigid structure, Agile thrives on flexibility and iterative progress. Understanding these approaches provides valuable lessons for structuring our personal and professional goals.
Waterfall vs. Agile: A Quick Overview
The Waterfall methodology follows a sequential process where each phase (e.g., requirements gathering, design, development) must be completed before moving to the next. It’s ideal for projects with fixed requirements but struggles with adaptability when changes arise mid-project.
Agile, on the other hand, breaks work into smaller, iterative cycles called sprints. Each sprint focuses on delivering incremental value, incorporating feedback, and adapting to change. This flexibility makes Agile suitable for dynamic environments where requirements evolve over time.
In essence, Waterfall is like building a house from a rigid blueprint, while Agile is akin to crafting a sculpture step-by-step, refining it as you go based on feedback.
Applying Agile Principles to Personal Goals
Most of us set long-term goals—losing weight, advancing careers, or building financial stability—but these ambitions often lack actionable steps. This is where adopting an Agile mindset can transform your approach.
Breaking Down Goals into Weekly Sprints
Just as Agile divides projects into manageable sprints, you can break down your long-term goals into weekly deliverables. For example:
Fitness Goal: Instead of aiming to lose 15 pounds in three months, commit to exercising three times a week and tracking your meals daily.
Career Growth: If your goal is to become a better public speaker, set weekly objectives like practicing a speech or attending a Toastmasters meeting.
Financial Stability: Rather than focusing solely on saving $10,000 in a year, aim to save $200 each week by cutting unnecessary expenses.
This iterative approach fosters consistent progress while allowing you to evaluate and adjust your strategies weekly.
The Importance of Feedback Loops
One of Agile’s core principles is continuous feedback—both from stakeholders and within the team.
In personal development, this translates to regular self-reflection. For instance:
Weekly Check-ins: At the end of each week, review what you’ve accomplished and identify areas for improvement.
Adjustments: If you missed your fitness goal due to work commitments, consider revising your schedule or setting more realistic targets.
This feedback loop ensures that you stay aligned with your overarching goals while remaining flexible enough to adapt as circumstances change.
Balancing Patience with Momentum
While weekly deliverables keep you moving forward, it’s crucial not to expect immediate results. Agile teaches us that meaningful progress takes time; each sprint builds upon the last. Similarly:
Patience in Weight Loss: You won’t lose 15 pounds overnight, but consistent effort over weeks will yield results.
Career Development: Mastering a new skill or achieving a promotion often requires months of dedication.
Financial Goals: Building wealth is a marathon, not a sprint; small savings add up over time.
Balancing short-term wins with long-term vision prevents burnout while maintaining momentum.
Real-World Example: My Weekly Deliverables
To illustrate this approach, here’s how I apply Agile principles in my own life:
Writing Regularly: I commit to publishing one blog post per week. This keeps me accountable and improves my writing skills incrementally.
SaaS Project Progress: Each week, I aim to complete one feature or milestone for my software project ReplyWire.
Health Goals: I track my workouts and diet daily but evaluate my overall progress every Friday.
Networking: I set a goal to connect with at least three new people weekly—whether through LinkedIn or in-person events.
By focusing on these weekly deliverables, I ensure steady progress toward my broader 60-day objectives.
Practical Tips for Implementing Weekly Deliverables
Set SMART Goals: Ensure your weekly objectives are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
Use Tools for Tracking: Apps like Asana or Trello can help you organize tasks and monitor progress.
Celebrate Small Wins: Recognize achievements at the end of each week to stay motivated.
Reflect and Adjust: Dedicate time every Friday to review what worked and what didn’t.
For example, if your goal is weight loss but you notice no change after two weeks of dieting and exercise, revisit your plan—perhaps by consulting a nutritionist or trying a different workout routine.
Final Notes
Whether you’re managing software projects or personal aspirations, the principles of Agile offer invaluable lessons in adaptability and incremental progress. By setting weekly deliverables and embracing regular feedback loops, you can transform even the most daunting goals into achievable milestones.
Remember: Progress isn’t about perfection; it’s about persistence. So ask yourself—what will be in your “done” bucket this Friday?
It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer.
- Albert Einstein