228: The Importance of Work-in-Progress (WIP) Limits

Effective communication with stakeholders and the importance of WIP Limits

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Off Topic: How to Communicate Effectively with Stakeholders

The actual value of software lies in how it benefits the users. This requires strong communication skills, not coding skills, to comprehend the problem. Avoiding miscommunication and focusing on success is important when working on critical projects. Consider who would be best suited to lead the project and work with them to ensure their success. Take notes and ask questions to contribute to the discussion. If someone isn't participating, try to involve them in the conversation. Reach out to a respected colleague for advice with a specific question. Writing can help clarify your thoughts and beliefs. When summarizing ideas, always start with the main point. Accept feedback and take responsibility for any issues. Provide solutions when presenting problems. To create alignment, propose a solution that everyone can support. Avoid academic-style presentations and stay flexible in your desired outcomes.

To be a good listener, you must show that you've understood the other person's words and encourage them to keep talking. Mindful communication involves listening and engaging with others to promote awareness. When communicating, use "What" instead of "Why," listen to the answer after asking a question, and avoid assuming you know the request. Your brain evaluates situations based on power dynamics, autonomy level, and future predictability.

Show genuine appreciation, warmth, and high energy when interacting with others. People like those who like them, so make it clear that you're interested in the other person. Consider what they know you don't, and focus on learning from them during the interaction. Listen with intent by asking specific questions about what they're saying in real time, making them feel heard and valued.

Current Work: The Importance of Work-in-Progress (WIP) Limits

The acronym WIP stands for Work In Progress. The team should establish initial limits they are comfortable with and can commit to following for a period. As the team becomes more experienced, the WIP limits should become smaller. A good starting point may be to set a limit of two tasks per person/role. For example, if two testers are on the team, the WIP limit for a testing column on a Kanban board would be four. Regardless of the limit, the team should revisit it and consider if any adjustments could enhance their process and keep work flowing.

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