The MoSCoW method explained

In project management, time and resources are always limited. The challenge for professionals is to decide what to deliver now, what needs to be worked through over the coming weeks, and what can wait or be disregarded entirely. Without a clear framework, prioritisation can become inconsistent or subjective, leading to wasted effort and delayed outcomes.

That’s where the MoSCoW method comes in. Widely used in agile project management, this simple but effective prioritisation technique helps teams focus on what matters most. By applying MoSCoW, project managers can support both their personal time management and the delivery of project outcomes within agreed timelines. 

Within a PRINCE2® project environment, MoSCoW can be used as a practical tool to support the method’s focus on prioritisation, scope control, and delivering value within agreed tolerances.

What is the MoSCoW method?

MoSCoW is a prioritisation technique that categorises requirements or tasks into four groups:

• Must have: Essential items that are critical for success. Without them, the project or task cannot be considered complete

• Should have: Important items that add significant value but are not vital to immediate delivery. They may be included if time and resources allow

• Could have: Desirable items that would be nice to include, but which can be deferred or dropped without harming the project’s success

• Won’t have (for now): Items agreed as out of scope for the current timeframe. These may be revisited later but will not be delivered in the present cycle

The method’s name comes from the first letters of each category, creating the acronym MoSCoW.

Why use MoSCoW in project management?

One of the biggest strengths of MoSCoW is the clarity it brings to decision-making. Instead of frequently debating what to include, teams can align around shared definitions of priority. For project managers, this makes conversations with stakeholders smoother and helps protect timelines by ensuring resources are focused on the most essential tasks. It also reduces the risk of scope creep, since lower-priority items are formally recognised as optional or out of scope. For teams, it provides focus, allowing effort to be directed towards activity that delivers the greatest value.

Using MoSCoW for personal time management

MoSCoW can also be applied to personal workloads. Categorising daily tasks into musts, shoulds, coulds, and won’ts can help professionals clarify what really matters and avoid overwhelm.

For example:

• Must have: Preparing a status report due today

• Should have: Drafting a proposal for next week’s meeting

• Could have: Reading an article on new project tools

• Won’t have: Redesigning a presentation that isn’t needed until next month

Approaching work in this way helps individuals manage time more effectively, and creates a sense of control by making conscious choices about what not to prioritise.

Applying MoSCoW to project timelines

On a larger scale, MoSCoW supports project managers in keeping delivery aligned to deadlines and budgets. Categorising requirements into the four groups enables managers to negotiate priorities with stakeholders more effectively. For example, in a software project, core features may fall under “must have”, while usability improvements are categorised as “should have”, and extra functionality is considered a “could have” if time permits. Features earmarked for a later release are identified as “won’t have”.

This structured approach ensures that even if resources are stretched, the most critical outcomes are always delivered, while stakeholders are clear on what to expect now and what may come later.

A simple but powerful technique

The MoSCoW method is accessible, easy to apply, and adaptable across both agile and traditional project environments. By using it to guide personal productivity as well as project delivery, professionals can improve focus, manage expectations, and ensure that limited resources are used to deliver maximum value.

Explore our PRINCE2® training courses and learn how structured methods like MoSCoW can help you manage projects with confidence.