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.