Back to Kanban Basics and Practices

Measure and Manage Flow Metrics

5 minutes 5 Questions

Measuring and managing flow metrics is a critical practice in Kanban that focuses on analyzing the performance of the workflow to drive continuous improvement. Key flow metrics include Lead Time, Cycle Time, Throughput, and Work Item Age. These metrics provide quantitative data on how work items move through the system, highlighting areas of efficiency and those needing attention. Lead Time refers to the total time from when a request is made until it is delivered. Cycle Time measures the time it takes to complete a task once work begins. Throughput is the number of work items completed in a given time frame. Work Item Age indicates the amount of time a task has been in progress. By tracking these metrics, teams can identify patterns and trends that affect productivity. For example, a consistently increasing Cycle Time may signal bottlenecks or capacity issues. Monitoring Work Item Age helps in managing aging tasks that might be at risk of becoming stale or obsolete. Flow metrics enable teams to set realistic Service Level Expectations (SLEs) with stakeholders by providing data-driven insights into their delivery capabilities. SLEs are agreements on how long work items are expected to take, which helps in planning and managing customer expectations. Visual tools like Cumulative Flow Diagrams (CFDs) and Control Charts are often used to represent flow metrics graphically. CFDs display the overall flow of work across different stages, helping teams to visualize bottlenecks and work in progress. Control Charts plot Cycle Time over time, allowing teams to assess process stability and predict future performance. Regularly reviewing flow metrics encourages a culture of continuous improvement. Teams can experiment with process changes and measure their impact using these metrics. This empirical approach to process management ensures that improvements are based on evidence rather than assumptions. In essence, measuring and managing flow metrics equips teams with the necessary information to optimize their workflow, enhance efficiency, and deliver higher value to customers. It forms the backbone of an effective Kanban system focused on transparency and continuous enhancement.

Test mode:
Start practice test
DASM - Kanban Basics and Practices Example Questions

Test your knowledge of Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3)

Question 1

In a Disciplined Agile environment, which of the following best describes how Lead Time should be measured?

Correct Answer: From when work is first requested to when it is delivered to customers

Lead Time in Disciplined Agile (DA) measures the total time from when a customer first requests work until they receive the delivered value. This reflects the complete lifecycle of value delivery. This comprehensive measurement helps organizations understand their true efficiency in delivering customer value and includes all phases: initial request, analysis, development, testing, and deployment to production. The other options are incomplete measures that focus on internal development processes: Measuring only coding to testing omits crucial early phases of understanding customer needs and later phases of deployment. Tracking from sprint planning to done state only captures the execution phase, missing the important customer request phase and deployment activities. Measuring from requirements to development completion leaves out both the initial customer request phase and the critical deployment phase when customers actually receive value.

Question 2

Which metric below best indicates the effectiveness of flow in a Disciplined Agile value stream?

Correct Answer: Lead time from idea to value delivery

Lead time from idea to value delivery is the best metric for measuring flow effectiveness in a Disciplined Agile value stream because: It captures the entire value stream flow from initial concept to actual customer value realization. This end-to-end measurement provides visibility into the total time it takes to deliver customer value. Why other options fall short: Measuring lead time from backlog prioritization misses the important early ideation and refinement phases of the value stream. Sprint velocity and story points are team-level metrics that only measure output, not value delivery or flow efficiency. Cumulative flow diagrams are useful tools but focus more on work in progress and bottlenecks rather than overall value stream effectiveness. The ideal metric should measure the full lifecycle of value delivery, which is why measuring from initial idea to final value delivery provides the most comprehensive view of flow effectiveness in a Disciplined Agile context.

Question 3

What is the best way to measure flow through a Disciplined Agile value stream?

Correct Answer: Track cycle time, throughput, and work in progress metrics regularly

Tracking cycle time, throughput, and work in progress (WIP) metrics regularly is the most effective way to measure flow in a Disciplined Agile value stream. These metrics provide key insights into: - How quickly work moves through the system (cycle time) - How much value is being delivered (throughput) - Where bottlenecks may be occurring (WIP) These metrics align with lean principles and provide actionable data for continuous improvement. The other options are less effective because: - Tracking completed stories and epic points quarterly is too infrequent and misses important flow indicators - Monitoring velocity and burndown charts weekly focuses too much on output rather than flow efficiency - Measuring individual productivity goes against team-based agile principles and can create harmful competition

Go Premium

Disciplined Agile Scrum Master Preparation Package (2024)

  • 2040 Superior-grade Disciplined Agile Scrum Master practice questions.
  • Accelerated Mastery: Deep dive into critical topics to fast-track your mastery.
  • Unlock Effortless DASM preparation: 5 full exams.
  • 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed: Full refund with no questions if unsatisfied.
  • Bonus: If you upgrade now you get upgraded access to all courses
  • Risk-Free Decision: Start with a 7-day free trial - get premium features at no cost!
More Measure and Manage Flow Metrics questions
8 questions (total)
Start 8 question test