Question

In the Program Kanban some steps have Work-in-Process limits. Why is this necessary?

a) To speed up the process
b) To maximize resource utilization
c) To prevent bottlenecks and overloading teams
d) To reduce the need for collaboration

Answer 1

Work-in-Process limits in Program Kanban are set to prevent bottlenecks and manage the workload effectively, allowing teams to focus on their tasks and maintain productivity without being overburdened.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the Program Kanban, Work-in-Process (WIP) limits are necessary primarily to prevent bottlenecks and overloading teams. These limits ensure that each stage of the workflow does not exceed the capacity of the team to handle work effectively. By limiting the amount of work-in-process at any given step, the team can focus on completing tasks before taking on new ones, thus maintaining a steady flow of work. This contributes to the identification and elimination of inefficiencies, which are often associated with overburdened teams and the resulting slowdown in productivity.

Including WIP limits is not only about preventing too much work from accumulating at a certain stage but also about enabling the team to concentrate on the most urgent tasks with high quality and without distractions. By contrast, this practice does not aim to speed up the process in a direct way, nor is it meant to maximize resource utilization just for the sake of keeping resources busy. Also, it does not inherently reduce the need for collaboration; on the contrary, it might encourage more focused and efficient teamwork and communication.