How can you use Kanban to identify waste in Agile software development?

Use Kanban in Agile software development to identify waste by visualizing the workflow and making bottlenecks visible. Monitor cycle times and lead times to pinpoint delays and inefficiencies. Implement policies to limit work in progress and prioritize tasks effectively. Regularly review and improve the Kanban board based on feedback and performance metrics to streamline the development process and reduce waste.

?? Kanban is an effective tool for spotting waste in Agile software development. I'd start by mapping the value stream to visualize workflow stages and pinpointing inefficiencies and bottlenecks. Identifying specific waste types like overproduction or delays is crucial. Employing KPIs like lead and cycle times gauges waste impact. Implementing waste reduction methods, including Kanban principles like limiting work in progress and adopting pull systems, is essential. Regularly monitor these changes, assessing their effectiveness and adapting as needed. Learning from this process helps refine the Agile approach, ensuring continuous improvement and efficiency in software development. ????

Mapping the value stream is simply about making work visible. It is especially key in knowledge work which is not visible by its nature and suffers from hidden waste. In value stream mapping it's critical to map how the work actually flows and all the steps that actually happen, not what we want to be happening. Secone, this is not a solo exercise, but requiring multiple perspectives. It is not a management exercise but one requiring people actually doing the work. Once all the steps are made visible with all the good and all the not so good, one can start seeing the waste and beging identifying opportunities for improvement.

In order to check our Value Stream Map, firstly we should build good Kanban Flow. Using Kanban we can track Work In Progress and check the bottlenecks, in which we struggle. To make it more effectively, we can limit WIP, so no one takes several tasks and becomes idle. Bottlenecks occur when work items pile up in a particular column. This indicates that there may be a constraint or inefficiency in that stage of the process.

We can see many waste types in different areas, especially during production: 1) Overproduction - we produce more than we need 2) Delays - when dependecies are not set properly and architectural spikes are not completed, these may occur 3) Overprocessing - make things more complex than we require. That's why, MVP scheme is crucial, we only build Minimum Viable Product at first stage 4) Defects - defects occur when people make lower-quality products, because of several reasons (lack of expertise, unreasonable deadlines etc). Quality control and different XP techniques (pair programming etc) are vital. 5) Communication issues - when people has issue with this, they may not understand requirements and DoD clearly

Kanban in Agile software development serves as a visual management tool to identify and eliminate waste. By visualizing the workflow on a Kanban board, limiting work in progress, monitoring flow, identifying delays, and implementing continuous improvement, teams can pinpoint inefficiencies, reduce bottlenecks, and enhance overall efficiency. The Kanban approach emphasizes customer feedback, automation, and skill development to minimize waste, improve the software development process, and ensure that work adds value to the end product

Consider this example - In a software development project, tracking lead time uncovers an average of 15 days from task initiation to completion. Analysis of this metric reveals bottlenecks in the testing phase causing delays. Through targeted improvements in the testing process, the team successfully reduces lead time to 10 days. This illustrates the effectiveness of measuring waste indicators in pinpointing specific areas for improvement and streamlining the software development workflow.

We can set monitor metrics in order to evaluate and compare our process. 1) Lead/Cycle Time - use it to calculate E2E flow duration 2) On-time Delivery - % of work items delivered on or before the scheduled due date 3) Defect Rate - % of work items that have defects or require rework 4) Throughput - number of work items completed within a specific time period 5) Customer satisfaction and reviews - at the result, we work for stakeholders and customers, so we need frequent feedback about final product

Kaizen - if something works smoothly, do not change or redesign it, just improve it (example: Toyota cars, Apple, Miele products) Try to implemet 5S model - Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain Establish and follow standardized work procedures to reduce variations, errors, and inefficiencies in processes. If everone works in a different way, you will have compatibility issues Bottlenecks always occur because of different unexpected reasons, so cross-train team members to have multiple skills, reducing dependency on specific individuals and preventing bottlenecks Do gemba walks to physically observe and identify areas of waste in the workplace. This promotes firsthand understanding and engagement in waste reduction efforts.

If you have more experience with production and already know your previous mistakes and bottlenecks, try to implement "Poka-Yoke" system: Detection and Prevention - detection mechanisms identify when an error is about to occur, while prevention mechanisms stop the error from manifesting. Human-Centric Design - everyone can make mistakes, Poka-Yoke systems are designed with the understanding of human behavior and limitations. The goal is to create systems that guide users toward correct actions and prevent mistakes Make things simple and effective, then add features gradually

Kanban isn't just a task tracker; it's a key to unlocking Agile efficiency. Here's the gist: Spotting Cognitive Clutter: A crowded Kanban board signals cognitive overload. Too many tasks lead to diminished focus and error-prone work. Curbing Decision Fatigue: Overstuffed boards cause decision paralysis. It’s crucial to streamline choices to maintain momentum. Kanban’s Power Move: Use WIP limits and clear task statuses. It’s not about tracking work; it’s about making work manageable and decisions clearer. In essence, Kanban goes beyond task management. It's a strategic ally in fighting cognitive clutter and decision fatigue, sharpening our Agile edge.