Start with What You Do Now
The principle of "Start with What You Do Now" is fundamental to the Kanban methodology. It emphasizes the importance of beginning any improvement process by understanding and respecting the current workflows, processes, roles, and responsibilities within an organization. Instead of implementing sweeping changes that can be disruptive and met with resistance, Kanban advocates for acknowledging the existing system as a baseline for continuous improvement. By starting with the current state, teams can visualize their actual workflow, identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and areas for enhancement without the pressure of conforming to a new system immediately. This approach minimizes resistance to change because it doesn't challenge established roles or processes outright but encourages gradual adaptation. It allows team members to maintain their current responsibilities while collectively observing and analyzing how work flows through the system. This principle fosters a culture of transparency and openness, as it requires all team members to engage in mapping out the existing processes and communicating openly about challenges and successes. It sets the stage for incremental changes that are data-driven and based on real observations rather than assumptions. By understanding the current processes in depth, teams can make informed decisions about where to implement improvements for maximum impact. Starting with what you do now also aligns with the agile philosophy of iterative progress. It avoids the pitfalls of drastic overhauls that can disrupt productivity and morale. Instead, it builds a foundation for sustainable change by involving everyone in the process, ensuring that adjustments are practical and beneficial. Over time, these incremental changes can lead to significant improvements in efficiency, quality, and team satisfaction, all while maintaining continuity of operations.
Start with What You Do Now in Kanban
What is "Start with What You Do Now" in Kanban?
"Start with What You Do Now" is one of the foundational principles of Kanban methodology. It means that when implementing Kanban, you begin with your current processes, roles, responsibilities, and workflows rather than making immediate radical changes. This approach recognizes the value in existing systems while providing a platform for incremental improvement.
Why is it Important?
This principle is crucial because:
• It respects current processes and the organizational knowledge embedded in them
• It reduces resistance to change by not requiring immediate disruption
• It acknowledges that current processes evolved for specific reasons
• It creates a smooth transition path to improvement
• It builds on existing strengths while addressing weaknesses gradually
• It makes Kanban adoption less threatening and more practical
How it Works in Practice
1. Observe and map current workflows: Document exactly how work currently flows through your system
2. Visualize the workflow: Create a Kanban board that represents your actual current process steps, not an idealized version
3. Maintain existing roles and responsibilities: Keep current job titles and reporting structures initially
4. Apply WIP limits to current states: Limit work in progress based on current capacity
5. Measure current performance: Establish baseline metrics for your current process
6. Identify improvement opportunities: Use your current state as a starting point to spot bottlenecks and issues
Common Misconceptions
• It does not mean staying with inefficient processes forever
• It does not discourage change—it encourages evolutionary rather than revolutionary change
• It is not about avoiding tough decisions but making them in context
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on "Start with What You Do Now"
1. Differentiate from other approaches: Contrast with "big bang" implementation methods that require complete process redesign before starting
2. Emphasize evolutionary change: Highlight that this principle promotes gradual, continuous improvement rather than massive up-front change
3. Connect to change management: Explain how this approach reduces resistance by respecting existing processes and people's expertise
4. Link to other Kanban principles: Show how it works with principles like "Agree to pursue incremental, evolutionary change" and "Respect the current process, roles, responsibilities and titles"
5. Provide real examples: Be ready to describe how a team might map their current workflow before making any changes
6. Address limitations clearly: Acknowledge that starting with current processes doesn't mean accepting dysfunctional elements—just that you address them through evolution rather than revolution
7. Focus on practical application: If asked how to implement Kanban, always start by describing how you would map and visualize the current process first
8. Be specific about benefits: Explain concrete advantages like reduced adoption friction, lower risk, and faster implementation
When answering exam questions, remember that "Start with What You Do Now" is about respecting current processes as a starting point for improvement, not as a final destination. It's about evolution, not stagnation.
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