Lead Time

5 minutes 5 Questions

Lead time in Agile project management measures the total time it takes from the moment a work item (e.g., task, user story) is requested until it is completed. Lead time includes both cycle time (the time spent actively working on the item) and queue time (the time spent idle, such as waiting for approval or resources). Tracking lead time helps teams understand the overall efficiency of their processes, as it provides a complete picture of the project lifecycle. Reducing lead time can lead to increased customer satisfaction, as items are delivered more quickly, and better resource management, as teams can more accurately plan and allocate resources.

Guide to Understanding and Answering Questions on Lead Time in Agile Project Management

Lead Time is a very important concept in Agile Project Management, especially when you are trying to assess the efficiency of your project. It refers to the amount of time that elapses from the moment a process starts until it is completed.

Why it is important:
Lead Time provides crucial information about the efficiency of your workflow and allows you to identify any bottlenecks. By reducing Lead Time, you can improve the efficiency of your project and ensure that you deliver value to your customers as quickly as possible.

How it works:
Lead Time is calculated by subtracting the time when work began on an item from the time when the item was completed. It includes both the time taken to actively work on an item and the time it spends waiting.

Answering Questions on Lead Time in Exams:
When answering questions on Lead Time in exams, remember to:

Understand the difference between Lead Time and Cycle Time.
Know how to calculate Lead Time.
Understand the implications of high or low Lead Time.
Identify ways to reduce Lead Time.

Exam Tips:
Always revisit your project management terminologies before an exam. Highlight how lead time impacts the overall efficiency of a project when answering questions. Also, refer to practical examples to get your point across more effectively. Questions on lead time often involve computation so your mathematical accuracy is important.

Test mode:

Exam (Timed)

Practice (With explanations)

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Question 1

In a new project, your team has a Lead Time of 20 days and a Cycle Time of 5 days. What is the waiting time?

20 days 25 days 15 days 30 days 10 days 5 days

Correct Answer: 15 days

Waiting time can be calculated by subtracting Cycle Time from Lead Time. So, 20 - 5 = 15 days of waiting time.

Question 2

A project has a Lead Time of 10 days and a Cycle Time of 4 days. A client requested an urgent feature addition. What's the earliest it can be delivered?

40 days 8 days 4 days 24 days 14 days 10 days

Correct Answer: 14 days

Lead Time includes both waiting and processing time, while Cycle Time only includes processing time. To find the earliest delivery, you add Lead Time and Cycle Time together: 10 + 4 = 14 days.

Question 3

A Scrum Team has noticed a gradual increase in Lead Time over the past few Sprints. What could be the most likely reason for this trend?

Accumulation of technical debt and complexity in the codebase Insufficient collaboration and communication within the Scrum Team Lack of clear priorities and frequent changes in requirements from stakeholders Decrease in the team's velocity due to team members taking time off or being reassigned to other projects

Correct Answer: Accumulation of technical debt and complexity in the codebase

The most likely reason for the gradual increase in Lead Time over the past few Sprints is the accumulation of technical debt and complexity in the codebase. As the codebase grows and evolves over time, it can become more complex and harder to maintain, leading to longer development times and increased Lead Time. While the other options mentioned, such as lack of clear priorities, insufficient collaboration, and decreased velocity due to team member availability, can also impact Lead Time, they are less likely to cause a gradual increase over multiple Sprints. Technical debt and complexity, on the other hand, tend to build up slowly and progressively affect the team's ability to deliver quickly and efficiently.

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