Capability Conversation - Work In Process Management

Work in Process Management

Manage Work in Process 

What this capability means: Control how much work has been activated and is consuming capacity, attention, coordination, or expectations so the system can progress and finish valuable work effectively. 

Working well when...

  1. Active, waiting, and blocked work are visible and counted.
  2. Entry is controlled when the system is at capacity.
  3. People help finish and address aging work before starting more.
  4. Limits and policies adapt from flow, quality, value, and human evidence.

First-pass conversation

  • What is truly active and consuming capacity or expectations? 
  • Where is work waiting, blocked, aging, or repeatedly switched? 
  • What happens when capacity is already consumed? 
  • Who can start more work, and what gets displaced? 
  • Would a local Work in Process limit improve the whole system or move the queue?

Warning signs to discuss

  • Work starts faster than it finishes.
  • Waiting, analysis, promises, or blocked work are excluded from Work in Process.
  • People switch among many items while completion slows.
  • Local limits move queues or harm another part of the system.

Facilitator reminder

Related areas: Work & Workflow Visibility, Intake & Demand Activation, Focused Teams, End-to-End Flow