tcnj mayo business plan competition

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Meet the winners of the 2024 mayo business plan competition.

Golden Connections, an AI-powered health and wellness digital platform designed to help with the needs of senior citizens and their caregivers, won the first-place prize of $30,000 in the 2024 Mayo Business Plan Competition.

Lauren Cunningham ’24 , Emma Route ’25 , and Sangam Shivaprasad ’24 developed the digital platform to serve as a bridge between adult caregivers and their aging family members.

The team says an estimated 65 million caregivers of seniors are also working adults, like their own parents. Cunningham shared the story of Sandra — her grandmother, affectionately called Grammy — who lives far from her family but needs help with everyday tasks like remembering appointments. Many of those tasks, she said, fall on her mom.

“We see our parents helping their parents, and we wanted to make that easier for them,” Cunningham, a marketing major, said. Caregivers report insufficient sleep, exhibit chronic stress, and lose productivity due to caregiving responsibilities.

Enter Golden Connections, a user-friendly digital platform that features an AI assistant named Grace that can help seniors with everyday tasks and reminders via customized check-in calls and provide health and wellness insights based on speech biomarker analysis.

“I learned about speech biomarkers at an internship last summer at Johnson & Johnson,” Route, a chemistry major, said. “They’re using these biomarkers in clinical trials for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease, so I wanted to incorporate that in our platform so that people can use it in their everyday lives.”

Speech and language biomarkers, such as speech rate, pitch, volume, vibration, and other vocal features, may indicate whether a person is experiencing cognitive changes.

Shivaprasad, a biology major, has been interested in medicine since she was young but recently became curious about business. “The Mayo Business Plan Competition helped me learn that this is something I want to pursue in the future,” she said. “It opened many doors and showed me how to make connections.”

This year, 25 teams competed in the challenge, spending much of the academic year on their projects. Three teams made it to the finals in the Mayo Concert Hall on March 27, where each had 30 minutes to make presentations and respond to questions from a five-person panel of alumni judges.

In all, $60,000 in prize money was awarded. A plan for a trendy and affordable thrift store to serve TCNJ students and the surrounding community was the runner-up, garnering team 2nd Chance $20,000. The third-place team, Girls Got Your Back, designed a location-based app to facilitate mutual assistance among women in a community during times of need and won $10,000 for their plan.

The Mayo Business Plan Competition was established in 2011 through the generosity of finance professor emeritus Herbert B. “Buddy” Mayo. Through the TCNJ Foundation, Mayo established an endowment that supports the competition — one of the most robust in New Jersey.

Second Place ($20,000): 2nd Chance by Caley Faith Cortezano ’25 , public health; Alex Fabiano ’24 , interdisciplinary business; Dylan Romanski ’24 , finance. The team pitched a second-hand store that aims to provide students at TCNJ with financially and eco-conscious shopping options with high-quality new and used clothing, furniture, and school supplies.

Third Place ($10,000): Girls Got Your Back by Olivia Chiarella ’25 , communication studies; Victoria Dasilva ’25 , finance; Tatiana Sawka ’25 , marketing; and Madilynne Slifer ’24 , marketing. The team has the vision to create a supportive and empowering digital community for women facing “mini emergencies” in their daily lives (like needing a phone or laptop charger ASAP when you’re in the library studying but forgot to pack your own).

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—  Emily W. Dodd ’03

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Meet the winners of the 2024 Mayo Business Plan Competition

Golden Connections, an AI-powered health and wellness digital platform designed to help with the needs of senior citizens and their caregivers, won the first-place prize of $30,000 in the 2024 Mayo Business Plan Competition.

Lauren Cunningham ’24 , Emma Route ’25 , and Sangam Shivaprasad ’24 developed the digital platform to serve as a bridge between adult caregivers and their aging family members.

The team says an estimated 65 million caregivers of seniors are also working adults, like their own parents. Cunningham shared the story of Sandra — her grandmother, affectionately called Grammy — who lives far from her family but needs help with everyday tasks like remembering appointments. Many of those tasks, she said, fall on her mom.

“We see our parents helping their parents, and we wanted to make that easier for them,” Cunningham, a marketing major, said. Caregivers report insufficient sleep, exhibit chronic stress, and lose productivity due to caregiving responsibilities.

Enter Golden Connections, a user-friendly digital platform that features an AI assistant named Grace that can help seniors with everyday tasks and reminders via customized check-in calls and provide health and wellness insights based on speech biomarker analysis.

“I learned about speech biomarkers at an internship last summer at Johnson & Johnson,” Route, a chemistry major, said. “They’re using these biomarkers in clinical trials for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease, so I wanted to incorporate that in our platform so that people can use it in their everyday lives.”

Speech and language biomarkers, such as speech rate, pitch, volume, vibration, and other vocal features, may indicate whether a person is experiencing cognitive changes.

Shivaprasad, a biology major, has been interested in medicine since she was young but recently became curious about business. “The Mayo Business Plan Competition helped me learn that this is something I want to pursue in the future,” she said. “It opened many doors and showed me how to make connections.”

This year, 25 teams competed in the challenge, spending much of the academic year on their projects. Three teams made it to the finals in the Mayo Concert Hall on March 27, where each had 30 minutes to make presentations and respond to questions from a five-person panel of alumni judges.

In all, $60,000 in prize money was awarded. A plan for a trendy and affordable thrift store to serve TCNJ students and the surrounding community was the runner-up, garnering team 2nd Chance $20,000. The third-place team, Girls Got Your Back, designed a location-based app to facilitate mutual assistance among women in a community during times of need and won $10,000 for their plan.

The Mayo Business Plan Competition was established in 2011 through the generosity of finance professor emeritus Herbert B. “Buddy” Mayo. Through the TCNJ Foundation, Mayo established an endowment that supports the competition — one of the most robust in New Jersey.

Second Place ($20,000): 2nd Chance by Caley Faith Cortezano ’25 , public health; Alex Fabiano ’24 , interdisciplinary business; Dylan Romanski ’24 , finance. The team pitched a second-hand store that aims to provide students at TCNJ with financially and eco-conscious shopping options with high-quality new and used clothing, furniture, and school supplies.

Third Place ($10,000): Girls Got Your Back by Olivia Chiarella ’25 , communication studies; Victoria Dasilva ’25 , finance; Tatiana Sawka ’25 , marketing; and Madilynne Slifer ’24 , marketing. The team has the vision to create a supportive and empowering digital community for women facing “mini emergencies” in their daily lives (like needing a phone or laptop charger ASAP when you’re in the library studying but forgot to pack your own).

—  Emily W. Dodd ’03

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Meet the winners of the 2024 Mayo Business Plan Competition

Golden Connections, an AI-powered health and wellness digital platform designed to help with the needs of senior citizens and their caregivers, won the first-place prize of $30,000 in the 2024 Mayo Business Plan Competition.

Lauren Cunningham ’24 , Emma Route ’25 , and Sangam Shivaprasad ’24 developed the digital platform to serve as a bridge between adult caregivers and their aging family members.

The team says an estimated 65 million caregivers of seniors are also working adults, like their own parents. Cunningham shared the story of Sandra — her grandmother, affectionately called Grammy — who lives far from her family but needs help with everyday tasks like remembering appointments. Many of those tasks, she said, fall on her mom.

“We see our parents helping their parents, and we wanted to make that easier for them,” Cunningham, a marketing major, said. Caregivers report insufficient sleep, exhibit chronic stress, and lose productivity due to caregiving responsibilities.

Enter Golden Connections, a user-friendly digital platform that features an AI assistant named Grace that can help seniors with everyday tasks and reminders via customized check-in calls and provide health and wellness insights based on speech biomarker analysis.

“I learned about speech biomarkers at an internship last summer at Johnson & Johnson,” Route, a chemistry major, said. “They’re using these biomarkers in clinical trials for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease, so I wanted to incorporate that in our platform so that people can use it in their everyday lives.”

Speech and language biomarkers, such as speech rate, pitch, volume, vibration, and other vocal features, may indicate whether a person is experiencing cognitive changes.

Shivaprasad, a biology major, has been interested in medicine since she was young but recently became curious about business. “The Mayo Business Plan Competition helped me learn that this is something I want to pursue in the future,” she said. “It opened many doors and showed me how to make connections.”

This year, 25 teams competed in the challenge, spending much of the academic year on their projects. Three teams made it to the finals in the Mayo Concert Hall on March 27, where each had 30 minutes to make presentations and respond to questions from a five-person panel of alumni judges.

In all, $60,000 in prize money was awarded. A plan for a trendy and affordable thrift store to serve TCNJ students and the surrounding community was the runner-up, garnering team 2nd Chance $20,000. The third-place team, Girls Got Your Back, designed a location-based app to facilitate mutual assistance among women in a community during times of need and won $10,000 for their plan.

The Mayo Business Plan Competition was established in 2011 through the generosity of finance professor emeritus Herbert B. “Buddy” Mayo. Through the TCNJ Foundation, Mayo established an endowment that supports the competition — one of the most robust in New Jersey.

Second Place ($20,000): 2nd Chance by Caley Faith Cortezano ’25 , public health; Alex Fabiano ’24 , interdisciplinary business; Dylan Romanski ’24 , finance. The team pitched a second-hand store that aims to provide students at TCNJ with financially and eco-conscious shopping options with high-quality new and used clothing, furniture, and school supplies.

Third Place ($10,000): Girls Got Your Back by Olivia Chiarella ’25 , communication studies; Victoria Dasilva ’25 , finance; Tatiana Sawka ’25 , marketing; and Madilynne Slifer ’24 , marketing. The team has the vision to create a supportive and empowering digital community for women facing “mini emergencies” in their daily lives (like needing a phone or laptop charger ASAP when you’re in the library studying but forgot to pack your own).

—  Emily W. Dodd ’03

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Rotating Display 2022

Mechanical Engineering Senior Project 2022

Mayo Business Plan Competition

Our product can be viable within the display case market. As such, we have decided to enter the 2023 Mayo Business Plan Competition. We have teamed up with a bright finance major to help guide us in creating our business plan.

What is the Mayo Business Plan Competition?

The Mayo Business Plan Competition is designed to increase student appreciation for the challenge of developing a viable business. Through an iterative process, the MBPC recognizes those students best able to articulate a plan that addresses these challenges. Recognizing both the time involved and the task’s difficulty, the competition substantially rewards successful teams.

What is the Mayo Business Plan Competition Prizes?

First Place Prize- $30,000

Second Place Prize- $20,000

Third Place Prize- $10,000

Meet Our Finance Major

Madison is a senior Finance Major at The College of New Jersey, where she is highly involved in Lions on Wall Street (TCNJ’s Investment Banking Club) and the School of Business Peer Mentors. She has a substantial investment banking and business operations background from her internship with a local pest control company that has acquired other small businesses.

Watch Our Mayo Business Plan Competiton Pitch Video

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Four Out of Six Mayo Business Plan Competition Semi-Finalists Include TCNJ Engineering Students

Congratulations to these TCNJ Engineering students whose teams have made it to the semi-finals of the 2023 Mayo Business Plan Competition ! Three of the six semi-finalists will advance to the finals, where they will have the chance to win up to $30,000. Best of luck to all!

CrystalCost

CrystalCost is a personalized healthcare price transparency tool that aims to serve small businesses and individuals looking to save money on medical costs without compromising quality. Our platform helps users make informed decisions about their healthcare by providing pricing estimates for medical services and offering a range of options to customize based on insurance plan and preferences such as location. With our signature Circle-Line Method, users can efficiently comprehend and compare prices across various providers. With its comprehensive pricing information, cost-saving options, and easy-to-use layout CrystalCost aims to revolutionize healthcare competency and access.

The purpose of the pGrip is to be a grip assistive device for people suffering from Muscular Dystrophy and will aid in grasping common household objects. It will be a glove-like exoskeleton to amplify weak grip strength into a significantly greater force. Given these individuals have weakened muscles, lifting may cause fatigue-induced shaking. The pGrip will also incorporate an optional tremor reducing device to help remedy this issue. Ideally, it will remain low profile and low weight, given consumers would not benefit from unnecessary bulk. Compared to competing designs, the pGrip is unique as it will be the only device consisting of both a grip assist and hand tremor reducer. A functional glove should be comfortable and feel as a natural extension for the user when being worn. This model would also allow for prioritizing accessibility through wearability and financial acquisition.

P & M Connectivity

At our core, we believe that every person has the right to access critical information and communication during times of crisis. P&M connectivity’s mission is to empower people in disaster-affected areas by providing them with reliable, immediate, and secure internet access and phone communication through our cutting-edge drone technology. We understand the importance of communication and information during times of crisis, and our drone is specifically designed to bridge the gap between people and critical resources. That’s why we’re dedicated to using our state-of-the-art drone technology to deliver reliable, immediate, and secure internet access and phone communication to individuals and communities affected by natural disasters

Rotating Display Case

The mission of Kinetic Art Display Unit’s product line is to offer innovative and artistic solutions for showcasing awards at educational institutions, convention centers, and sports arenas, as well as retail items for sales businesses. Our display cases utilize a mechanism that intermittently rotates multiple display shelves, maximizing the visibility of showcased items while maintaining a competitive spatial footprint and reducing wasted space. In today’s technology-driven world, our product stands out as a unique and unparalleled solution in the display market.

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TCNJ junior receives prestigious Boren Award for study abroad in Moscow next year

EWING, NJ…Rising TCNJ senior Bryan Furman has received a Boren Award for study abroad in Moscow in the 2011-2012 academic year. Boren Awards are highly competitive academic scholarships awarded by the federal government to only the best and brightest undergraduate students in the country. Furman, a psychology and international studies double major with a minor in Central Eurasian Studies, is the first Boren Award recipient at the College.

Those who apply for a Boren Awards must seek to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad, outside of Western Europe, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. The award is funded by the National Security Education Program, which was established in 1991.

After graduation, students have three years to complete a one-year, paid service requirement, working full-time in a job in the federal government and sharing their language and area studies knowledge in the Department of State, the Department of Defense, or another federal office with an interest in national security.

As part of his award, Furman was accepted to participate in the study-abroad program of the American Council of Teachers of Russian and will study at International University in Moscow for the entire academic year.  In the spring 2012 semester, he will participate in an internship that will allow him to apply skills learned in TCNJ psychology classes while researching the attitudes of ethnic Russians toward the Muslim Uzbek migrants living in their society.

Bryan has also won a scholarship to a summer program at the Washington Center.  Before going to Washington, he will be spending a month in Uzbekistan in order to work on his Uzbek language skills and learn more about Central Asia.

“After settling into my academic career at TCNJ, I realized my passion for understanding political and social events in Balkan, Middle Eastern/North African, and CIS countries. Specifically, I have focused my research on ethnic conflict. Working in the national security sector provides an opportunity to continue this research while protecting my country, as understanding regional conflict is vital to international security and stability,” said Furman.

Furman is a conversation hour facilitator for Russian and tutor for Russian. He was also enrolled in independent study in Advanced Russian the past fall and spring semesters with Dean of the School of Humanities & Social Sciences and Professor of Russian Benjamin Rifkin, who has spent many years in Russia himself.

Furman has received extensive support from the College’s faculty. During the 2010 Maymester, he traveled to Tajikistan and Uzbekistan on the Student-Faculty Silk Road Study-Tour, a course with history professors Jo-Ann Gross and Cynthia Paces, and he has “a passion for all things Russian” thanks to his Russian coursework at TCNJ and at the Middlebury Russian School last summer in Vermont, said Rifkin.

“Bryan is the best — not one of the best, but the best — student of Russian with whom I have worked in over 25 years of teaching Russian at the college level at the University of Michigan, the University of Wisconsin, Temple University, and the Middlebury College Russian School.  When teachers of Russian speak with Bryan, they simply cannot believe that he has not yet studied or lived in Russia,” said Rifkin.

According to Jon Stauff, director of global engagement at the College, the Russian language program at the College has recently been “reborn,” thanks to Rifkin.

“Bryan is one of the first students we are sending to Russia for a semester or a year of study abroad.  We have had shorter-term programs led by TCNJ faculty in the past, but no students have gone for a semester or, as in Bryan’s case, for an entire academic year,” said Stauff. “Part of the reason for this is that our Russian language program has been reborn, thanks to Dean Rifkin…now we have enrollments in those classes again, and more students will want to go.”

According to Rifkin, in fall 2009, seven students were enrolled in the first-semester Russian non-intensive course. The following semester, the course was cancelled due to low enrollment. However, this past year, 18 students enrolled in first-semester intensive Russian, and 18 students enrolled in second-semester intensive Russian.

Furman’s Boren achievement could be the first of many at the College, if students continue to take advantage of the resources that are becoming increasingly available to them with the enhanced internationalize its curriculum.

“Now that we have implemented intensive language courses for Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, and Russian, I’m optimistic that more TCNJ students will be competitive candidates for the Boren Scholarship for study abroad in the Middle East and North Africa, China and Taiwan, Japan, and Russia,” said Rifkin.

According to Rifkin, in the last few years, national enrollments in Russian have been increasing as more students see the connection between the study of Russian and their long-term goals and career opportunities. At the College, a new minor in Russian Studies (including language and history, literature, film, or politics) was recently proposed and is currently under review by the College Committee on Academic Programs. If approved, Furman will have that minor too, as he has already fulfilled those requirements.

“Bryan’s success is further proof that TCNJ students are highly competitive in national scholarship competitions for study abroad, including the Gilman, CLS critical language scholarships, and the Fulbright,” said Stauff. “We look forward to Bryan’s experiences in the coming year and cannot wait for him to share those experiences with our students on campus. He is an inspiring young man who will serve as a great role model for TCNJ students as he progresses with his studies and his career.”

You can learn more about the Boren scholarship at http://www.borenawards.org/ .

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The International Moscow Music Online-Competition is an opportunity to demonstrate your talent and dedication to music, and receive a Diploma of the international competition in electronic form. Recordings are judged by leading musicians, experts from many different countries. Grand Prix 1000 $.

Special money prizes. We invite you to participate!

• Current job

Honored Artist of the Russian Federation

Moscow Government Prize “For a Successfully Implemented Project” (arrangements of works by Piazzolla recorded by “Moscow Virtuosi”)

Soloist of the State Chamber Orchestra “Moscow Virtuosi”

Associate Professor of Moscow State Conservatory

Professor of Gnesin Academy

Winner of Kiel international piano competition (Sweden)

Grand Prix of Kiev International piano competition (Ukraine)

Artist of the Lorraine Opera House

Vocal teacher

Special prize of the Schneider-Trnavsky competition (Slovakia)

Winner of the American Musical Studies competition (Austria)

Associate Professor of Institute of Culture and Arts of Moscow City University

Director-general of “Maestoso” Int. Co., Ltd.

Winner of “Bella Voce” Competition (Russia)

Winner of the Obraztsova International Vocal Competition (Russia)

Assistant Professor of Academic Music College at the Moscow State Conservatory

1st prize winner (as part of a quintet) of International Henri Tomazy Competition (France)

Winner of 1st Rimsky-Korsakov International competition (Russia)

Director of “Poco a Poco Piano Lessons” Music School, Osaka

Director of “Russian Piano Academy in Osaka

Top-prize winner of “All-Japan Association of Musicians” Contest-audition

Prize winner of the 2nd Competition for young musicians in Nagoya (Japan)

1st prize winner of the Guitar Foundation of America Competition (USA)

1st prize winner of the Francisco Tárrega Competition (Spain)

Assistant Professor at the Moscow State Conservatory

1st prize winner of Hamamatsu International Piano Competition (Japan)

Winner of Queen Elizabeth piano competition (Belgium)

Soloist of the Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra of Russia

Assistant Professor of Moscow State Conservatory

1st prize winner of All-Union competition of performers on percussion instruments (USSR)

Winner of the competition (as soloist-xylophonist) of brass orchestras (Poland)

Artist-in-residence of the German-Russian Institute of Culture in Dresden (Germany)

Grand Prix winner (as a harpsichord-soloist) of the Competition Music without limits (Lithuania)

Grand Prix winner of the Wanda Landowska Harpsichord competition (Italy)

Application fee: 3000 RUB (~30€ )

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The list of resources below are available to students interested in/participating in the Mayo Business Plan Competition. Use of these resources is not required unless otherwise indicated. The resources listed below are for informational purposes only and do not imply endorsement.

Students Looking for a Team Students who are committed to participating but do not have a team, have an idea for a business but are new and do not know anyone to ask, or students who have a small team but would like to add to it can fill out the  Students Looking for a Team form.  We will connect all students who complete the form, via email, and make an initial “introduction”. After that, it is up to the student(s) to further the connection and/or discussion.

LinkedIn Learning Modules You must be logged in with your TCNJ credentials to access these modules at no cost.

• Creating A Business Plan – Required Module
• Financial Analysis for Business Plan Projections – Required Module
• Financial Accounting Foundations

How to Write a Business Plan

• NJ Small Business Association – How to Write a Business Plan
• How to Write a Business Plan (business.nj.gov)

Sample Business Plans

Sample Business Plan – Section by Section

Business Plan Example & Template

SCORE: Business Plan Templates & Resources

Resources for Financials

• Sample Financial Statements
• Balance Sheet
• Cash Flow Statement
• Income Statement
• Financial Planning in Business Plans

How to Create a Pitch Video

• How to Craft a Business Elevator Pitch – Intuit Quick Books
• How to Write a Business Pitch Deck for Funding – Young Entrepreneurs Forum

Teams may select a mentor of their choice at any time during the competition. Teams progressing into the semi-finals & finals are required to have a mentor. Teams must notify the School of Business when they select a mentor(s) by emailing [email protected] . This is required to ensure there are no conflicts of interest in the judging process. Teams may reach out to School of Business faculty directly. If you would like to select someone from the Mentor List, do not contact them directly. Please email Stephanie Horner, at [email protected] , and she will connect you with the mentor.

• MBPC Mentor List
• TCNJ School of Business Faculty Directory
• Rules for Judges & Mentors

Evaluation Rubric

• This is the  Evaluation Rubric the judges will utilize when evaluating your business plan.

The New Jersey Small Business Development Center at TCNJ

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MoSCoW Prioritization

What is moscow prioritization.

MoSCoW prioritization, also known as the MoSCoW method or MoSCoW analysis, is a popular prioritization technique for managing requirements. 

  The acronym MoSCoW represents four categories of initiatives: must-have, should-have, could-have, and won’t-have, or will not have right now. Some companies also use the “W” in MoSCoW to mean “wish.”

What is the History of the MoSCoW Method?

Software development expert Dai Clegg created the MoSCoW method while working at Oracle. He designed the framework to help his team prioritize tasks during development work on product releases.

You can find a detailed account of using MoSCoW prioritization in the Dynamic System Development Method (DSDM) handbook . But because MoSCoW can prioritize tasks within any time-boxed project, teams have adapted the method for a broad range of uses.

How Does MoSCoW Prioritization Work?

Before running a MoSCoW analysis, a few things need to happen. First, key stakeholders and the product team need to get aligned on objectives and prioritization factors. Then, all participants must agree on which initiatives to prioritize.

At this point, your team should also discuss how they will settle any disagreements in prioritization. If you can establish how to resolve disputes before they come up, you can help prevent those disagreements from holding up progress.

Finally, you’ll also want to reach a consensus on what percentage of resources you’d like to allocate to each category.

With the groundwork complete, you may begin determining which category is most appropriate for each initiative. But, first, let’s further break down each category in the MoSCoW method.

Start prioritizing your roadmap

Moscow prioritization categories.

1. Must-have initiatives

As the name suggests, this category consists of initiatives that are “musts” for your team. They represent non-negotiable needs for the project, product, or release in question. For example, if you’re releasing a healthcare application, a must-have initiative may be security functionalities that help maintain compliance.

The “must-have” category requires the team to complete a mandatory task. If you’re unsure about whether something belongs in this category, ask yourself the following.

If the product won’t work without an initiative, or the release becomes useless without it, the initiative is most likely a “must-have.”

2. Should-have initiatives

Should-have initiatives are just a step below must-haves. They are essential to the product, project, or release, but they are not vital. If left out, the product or project still functions. However, the initiatives may add significant value.

“Should-have” initiatives are different from “must-have” initiatives in that they can get scheduled for a future release without impacting the current one. For example, performance improvements, minor bug fixes, or new functionality may be “should-have” initiatives. Without them, the product still works.

3. Could-have initiatives

Another way of describing “could-have” initiatives is nice-to-haves. “Could-have” initiatives are not necessary to the core function of the product. However, compared with “should-have” initiatives, they have a much smaller impact on the outcome if left out.

So, initiatives placed in the “could-have” category are often the first to be deprioritized if a project in the “should-have” or “must-have” category ends up larger than expected.

4. Will not have (this time)

One benefit of the MoSCoW method is that it places several initiatives in the “will-not-have” category. The category can manage expectations about what the team will not include in a specific release (or another timeframe you’re prioritizing).

Placing initiatives in the “will-not-have” category is one way to help prevent scope creep . If initiatives are in this category, the team knows they are not a priority for this specific time frame. 

Some initiatives in the “will-not-have” group will be prioritized in the future, while others are not likely to happen. Some teams decide to differentiate between those by creating a subcategory within this group.

How Can Development Teams Use MoSCoW?

  Although Dai Clegg developed the approach to help prioritize tasks around his team’s limited time, the MoSCoW method also works when a development team faces limitations other than time. For example: 

Prioritize based on budgetary constraints.

What if a development team’s limiting factor is not a deadline but a tight budget imposed by the company? Working with the product managers, the team can use MoSCoW first to decide on the initiatives that represent must-haves and the should-haves. Then, using the development department’s budget as the guide, the team can figure out which items they can complete. 

Prioritize based on the team’s skillsets.

A cross-functional product team might also find itself constrained by the experience and expertise of its developers. If the product roadmap calls for functionality the team does not have the skills to build, this limiting factor will play into scoring those items in their MoSCoW analysis.

Prioritize based on competing needs at the company.

Cross-functional teams can also find themselves constrained by other company priorities. The team wants to make progress on a new product release, but the executive staff has created tight deadlines for further releases in the same timeframe. In this case, the team can use MoSCoW to determine which aspects of their desired release represent must-haves and temporarily backlog everything else.

What Are the Drawbacks of MoSCoW Prioritization?

  Although many product and development teams have prioritized MoSCoW, the approach has potential pitfalls. Here are a few examples.

1. An inconsistent scoring process can lead to tasks placed in the wrong categories.

  One common criticism against MoSCoW is that it does not include an objective methodology for ranking initiatives against each other. Your team will need to bring this methodology to your analysis. The MoSCoW approach works only to ensure that your team applies a consistent scoring system for all initiatives.

Pro tip: One proven method is weighted scoring, where your team measures each initiative on your backlog against a standard set of cost and benefit criteria. You can use the weighted scoring approach in ProductPlan’s roadmap app .

2. Not including all relevant stakeholders can lead to items placed in the wrong categories.

To know which of your team’s initiatives represent must-haves for your product and which are merely should-haves, you will need as much context as possible.

For example, you might need someone from your sales team to let you know how important (or unimportant) prospective buyers view a proposed new feature.

One pitfall of the MoSCoW method is that you could make poor decisions about where to slot each initiative unless your team receives input from all relevant stakeholders. 

3. Team bias for (or against) initiatives can undermine MoSCoW’s effectiveness.

Because MoSCoW does not include an objective scoring method, your team members can fall victim to their own opinions about certain initiatives. 

One risk of using MoSCoW prioritization is that a team can mistakenly think MoSCoW itself represents an objective way of measuring the items on their list. They discuss an initiative, agree that it is a “should have,” and move on to the next.

But your team will also need an objective and consistent framework for ranking all initiatives. That is the only way to minimize your team’s biases in favor of items or against them.

When Do You Use the MoSCoW Method for Prioritization?

MoSCoW prioritization is effective for teams that want to include representatives from the whole organization in their process. You can capture a broader perspective by involving participants from various functional departments.

Another reason you may want to use MoSCoW prioritization is it allows your team to determine how much effort goes into each category. Therefore, you can ensure you’re delivering a good variety of initiatives in each release.

What Are Best Practices for Using MoSCoW Prioritization?

If you’re considering giving MoSCoW prioritization a try, here are a few steps to keep in mind. Incorporating these into your process will help your team gain more value from the MoSCoW method.

1. Choose an objective ranking or scoring system.

Remember, MoSCoW helps your team group items into the appropriate buckets—from must-have items down to your longer-term wish list. But MoSCoW itself doesn’t help you determine which item belongs in which category.

You will need a separate ranking methodology. You can choose from many, such as:

• Weighted scoring
• Value vs. complexity
• Buy-a-feature
• Opportunity scoring

For help finding the best scoring methodology for your team, check out ProductPlan’s article: 7 strategies to choose the best features for your product .

2. Seek input from all key stakeholders.

To make sure you’re placing each initiative into the right bucket—must-have, should-have, could-have, or won’t-have—your team needs context. 

At the beginning of your MoSCoW method, your team should consider which stakeholders can provide valuable context and insights. Sales? Customer success? The executive staff? Product managers in another area of your business? Include them in your initiative scoring process if you think they can help you see opportunities or threats your team might miss. 

3. Share your MoSCoW process across your organization.

MoSCoW gives your team a tangible way to show your organization prioritizing initiatives for your products or projects. 

The method can help you build company-wide consensus for your work, or at least help you show stakeholders why you made the decisions you did.

Communicating your team’s prioritization strategy also helps you set expectations across the business. When they see your methodology for choosing one initiative over another, stakeholders in other departments will understand that your team has thought through and weighed all decisions you’ve made. 

If any stakeholders have an issue with one of your decisions, they will understand that they can’t simply complain—they’ll need to present you with evidence to alter your course of action.  

Related Terms

2×2 prioritization matrix / Eisenhower matrix / DACI decision-making framework / ICE scoring model / RICE scoring model

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Unveiling the Finest Piano Competitions in the World

Piano competitions serve as platforms for aspiring pianists to showcase their talent, gain invaluable performance experience, and receive recognition on an international scale. These competitions not only provide opportunities for young musicians to display their skills but also offer avenues for artistic growth and networking. In this article, we will explore some of the best piano competitions in the world, renowned for their prestige, rigorous judging criteria, and the caliber of participants they attract.

I nternational tchaikovsky competition (moscow, russia), established in 1958, the international tchaikovsky competition in moscow is one of the most prestigious piano competitions globally. held every four years, it attracts exceptional pianists from around the world. named after renowned composer pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky, this competition showcases the mastery of both solo and concerto performances. the competition's rich history, illustrious jury, and the opportunity to perform with renowned orchestras make it a pinnacle event for aspiring pianists., van cliburn international piano competition (fort worth, united states), founded in 1962 and named after legendary pianist van cliburn, this competition has attained a prominent standing in the piano world. held every four years in fort worth, texas, the van cliburn international piano competition draws pianists of extraordinary talent. known for its rigorous selection process, it offers a platform for participants to display both technical prowess and artistic sensitivity. the competition's comprehensive repertoire requirements and the chance to perform with prestigious symphony orchestras contribute to its esteemed reputation., international chopin piano competition (warsaw, poland), dedicated exclusively to the works of frederic chopin, the international chopin piano competition in warsaw is a celebration of the polish composer's music. this competition, held every five years, attracts pianists who excel in interpreting chopin's compositions. since its inception in 1927, the competition has become a testament to the enduring legacy of chopin's music. the competition's focus on, chopin's repertoire, the esteemed jury, and the opportunity to perform at the historic warsaw philharmonic contribute to its global recognition., arthur rubinstein international piano master competition (tel aviv, israel), named after the iconic pianist arthur rubinstein, this competition is held in tel aviv, israel, every three years. it serves as a platform for young pianists to showcase their talent and pays homage to rubinstein's contributions to the piano world. the competition's emphasis on artistic expression, virtuosity, and interpretation of various musical styles distinguishes it as one of the most esteemed piano competitions. the chance to perform with renowned orchestras and the opportunity for exposure to international audiences make it a highly coveted event., leeds international piano competition (leeds, united kingdom), founded in 1961, the leeds international piano competition has a long-standing reputation for nurturing exceptional pianistic talent. held every three years, it attracts a diverse range of pianists from across the globe. the competition's commitment to artistic excellence, its innovative programming, and the opportunity to perform with renowned orchestras have established it as a prominent platform for emerging pianists. additionally, the competition's focus on chamber music and collaborative performances further enhances its appeal., the international tchaikovsky competition, van cliburn international piano competition, international chopin piano competition, arthur rubinstein international piano master competition, and leeds international piano competition stand out as premier events that celebrate the artistry and virtuosity of pianists worldwide. these competitions offer aspiring musicians the opportunity to showcase their talent, connect with influential figures in the music industry, and gain recognition on an international stage. participating in these esteemed events can propel young pianists towards successful careers and contribute to their artistic growth., featured posts.

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Mayo Business Plan Competition

The Mayo Business Plan Competition is designed to increase student appreciation for the challenge of developing a viable business. Through an iterative process the MBPC recognizes those students best able to articulate a plan that addresses these challenges. In recognition of both the time involved and difficulty of the task, the competition provides a substantial reward for the successful teams.

Participants: All TCNJ students from ALL majors are welcome to participate. Students with ideas that translate into viable business products or services can come from virtually any School and major. Each team must be comprised of no less than two and no more than four current TCNJ students.

Sponsoring Donors: The School of Business thanks Professor Herbert B. Mayo for establishing and supporting the Mayo Business Plan Competition and Eric Szabo ’97 for his generous support.

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