Learn how using a Kanban board and WIP limits improves workflow efficiency in PMI PMP projects by addressing interruptions and bottlenecks effectively.
Table of Contents
Question
Your team is experiencing frequent interruptions in their workflow due to external factors, causing delays and inefficiencies. What approach should you implement to address this challenge and improve workflow?
A. Increase the sprint duration to allow for interruptions
B. Abandon agile and follow a predictive approach to minimize interruptions
C. Remove sprint retrospectives to free up time for development
D. Use a Kanban board to visualize the workflow and experiment with work in progress (WIP) limits
Answer
D. Use a Kanban board to visualize the workflow and experiment with work in progress (WIP) limits
Explanation
Implementing a Kanban system is the most effective approach to address frequent workflow interruptions caused by external factors. Here’s why:
- Visualization of Workflow: A Kanban board allows teams to visualize their tasks and processes, making it easy to identify bottlenecks or inefficiencies. Each task progresses through predefined stages, such as “To Do,” “In Progress,” and “Completed,” providing clarity to all stakeholders.
- Work in Progress (WIP) Limits: Setting WIP limits ensures that the team focuses only on a manageable number of tasks at any time. This prevents overloading and reduces the negative impact of context switching, which can arise from frequent interruptions.
- Continuous Improvement: By tracking tasks on the Kanban board, teams can analyze trends, such as repeated delays in specific stages. This insight facilitates iterative improvements in the process.
- Flexibility and Adaptability: Unlike predictive or rigid approaches, Kanban thrives in dynamic environments. It allows teams to adapt to changes without discarding the benefits of agile principles.
Why Other Options Are Incorrect:
Option A: Increasing sprint duration to accommodate interruptions dilutes agility, delaying deliverables and potentially worsening inefficiencies.
Option B: Switching to a predictive approach eliminates the flexibility of agile methods, which are better suited for adaptive work environments.
Option C: Removing sprint retrospectives hampers the team’s ability to reflect and improve, leading to missed opportunities for process optimization.
Adopting Kanban with WIP limits ensures smoother workflow management by aligning the team’s capacity with task demand while maintaining efficiency. For more insights on Kanban and its applications, visit PMI resources.
A Kanban board helps make work visible and manage workflow efficiently, allowing the team to identify bottlenecks caused by interruptions. Implementing WIP limits ensures that the team focuses on fewer tasks at a time, improving flow and reducing context switching, which can help in managing external disruptions. (As per Chapter 3.3 of the Agile Practice Guide)
PMI PMP certification exam assessment practice question and answer (Q&A) dump including multiple choice questions (MCQ) and objective type questions, with detail explanation and reference available free, helpful to pass the PMI PMP exam and earn PMI PMP certification.