During a multi-month process culminating in late October 2024, the Angry Project Discovery (APD) team and a new methodology were developed to help the company strategically select projects with the greatest impact on long-term prosperity. The result is clear project prioritization, a unified company-wide perspective, and the engagement of key employees.
Customer's initial problem
Angry Beards had long struggled with project management issues. Despite the initial plan to quickly implement new software, it became clear that inadequate tool support was just the tip of the iceberg. The main problem was the overwhelming number of projects without clear priorities, capacity limits, or genuine strategic benefits. The company lacked a process to systematically identify which ideas were truly valuable and which ones should be abandoned.
Approach to the solution
Instead of simply replacing another piece of software, we helped the client realize that they needed to change their internal processes. Together, we introduced a discovery process, centered around a methodology for selecting activities based on strategic goals.
We also incorporated elements of regular quarterly evaluations using agile principles. These evaluations allow the team to confront initial ideas with the current reality and provide the courage to terminate projects that no longer add value.
We used Jira Product Discovery, whose simplicity and flexibility were tailored for prioritizing project ideas. The APD team, made up of representatives from leadership and other key roles, was provided with clearly defined steps, templates, and scoring criteria. Through relative comparisons, planning poker, and open discussion, participants reached a consensus on which projects would truly move the company forward.
Specific benefits and results
Unified company-wide perspective: Full-day workshops involving not only management but also employees from various levels of the company helped align what is truly important for Angry Beards.
Methodology rating 8.5/10 by the team and 10/10 by the CEO: After the first round of discovery, both the leadership and participants considered the process groundbreaking. The CEO was thrilled to finally have clear criteria for decision-making.
Strategic planning for the next year: Based on the prioritization methodology, a list of projects approved for implementation in 2025 was created, with other ideas being postponed or rejected.
Increased internal team engagement: Involvement of “ambassadors” from different parts of the company fostered greater understanding and acceptance of strategic decisions across the organization. Together, we also elevated the level of company culture.
About the partner
Angry Beards is a Czech men’s cosmetics brand founded in 2017 in Třebíč by Tomáš Čech, who aimed to create original products for modern men. The brand specializes in beard care, hair care, perfumes, shower gels, creams, and even intimate cosmetics. With its authentic marketing and bold slogan “Cosmetics with Balls,” it quickly gained popularity among customers.
