Discovery / delivery split
Definition
The discovery/delivery split is the organizational model where a product team runs two parallel tracks simultaneously, one track figuring out what to build next (discovery), and one building what has already been validated (delivery).
The model is sometimes called dual-track agile or dual-track development. Marty Cagan's SVPG has written about it extensively, though the practice predates the label.
In a split-track team, discovery runs slightly ahead of delivery. Discovery is validating the next set of problems and solutions while delivery is executing on the already-validated work. This prevents the common failure mode where the team has to stop delivery to answer basic questions about what they should build next.
Discovery track activities: customer interviews, prototype testing, data analysis, assumption mapping, competitive research. Outputs: validated problems, tested solution concepts, de-risked specs.
Delivery track activities: sprint planning, engineering, design implementation, QA, deployment. Inputs: validated work from discovery. Outputs: working software.
The split requires trust. Discovery sometimes invalidates work that delivery was planning to pick up, that's the system working correctly, not failing. Killing a planned feature because discovery found the problem doesn't exist is a win, not a waste.
Both tracks use whiteboards. Discovery maps opportunities and tests assumptions. Delivery plans sprints and sequences work. BoardSnap keeps a structured record of both kinds of sessions, so discovery insights and delivery decisions are searchable and actionable rather than locked in camera roll photos.
Examples
- Discovery interviewing users about onboarding pain while delivery ships the new settings page
- A dual-track board showing discovery experiments in one column and delivery sprints in another
- The PM running five prototype tests while engineers close out the previous sprint
- Discovery findings feeding directly into the next sprint's planning session
Snap a discovery / delivery split. Ship its actions.
BoardSnap turns any whiteboard, including this one, into a summary and action plan.