# What is the MoSCoW method? | Annsa

> The MoSCoW method sorts requirements into 4 groups: must have, should have, could have and will not have this time.

Source: https://annsa.ai/glossary/moscow-method

Add Annsa to your agent: `claude mcp add --transport http annsa https://app.annsa.ai/mcp` (Cursor, Codex and Grok: https://annsa.ai/docs/quick-start)

Glossary · MoSCoW method

## What is the MoSCoW method?

The MoSCoW method sorts requirements into 4 groups: must have, should have, could have and will not have this time.

## In practice

The last group does the most useful work. It makes exclusions explicit instead of leaving them implied.

MoSCoW categorizes work rather than ranking it. Every item in “must” is equally required, so the method breaks when that list gets too long. Teams often cap the must-have group to stop everything entering it.

## Why it matters for product builders

A written “will not” is one of the strongest guards against scope creep. It is much harder to quietly reverse than an unspoken assumption.

Last reviewed 2026-08-21

## Read next

[Glossary Feature prioritization framework ](https://annsa.ai/glossary/feature-prioritization-framework) [Glossary Scope creep ](https://annsa.ai/glossary/scope-creep) [Glossary Product requirements ](https://annsa.ai/glossary/product-requirements) [In Annsa Priorities ](https://annsa.ai/choose/priorities)

[Browse the glossary ](https://annsa.ai/glossary)

## Put it to work with your agents.

[Try Annsa](https://app.annsa.ai/signup)