Guide: Work-In-Progress Limit in Kanban Methodology
Work in Progress (WIP) Limit is a strategy used in the Kanban methodology to limit the amount of work in the 'in-progress' state. The main idea is to prevent overproduction and promote focused work by stripping away the concept of multi-tasking.
Two important reasons why WIP limits are crucial are:
1. Workflow Management: Since only a specific amount of tasks can be 'in progress', workloads are managed better as team members focus on completing these tasks before taking up new ones.
2. Improving Efficiency: WIP limits help in identifying bottlenecks in the system. This allows you to solve problems and streamline the process.
In terms of how a WIP Limit works in a Kanban system, the limit is set for each workflow stage. The number of tasks in a particular stage must then always be less than or equal to this limit.
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Work In Progress Limit
If asked about WIP limits in an exam, remember:
1. The purpose of a WIP limit is to prevent overproduction and increase productivity.
2. WIP limits lower multitasking and increase focus on the task at hand.
3. WIP limits allow for easier identification and rectification of bottlenecks.
It's important to keep these points in mind when asked about the concept or when given a problem scenario that involves WIP limits, especially in project management frameworks like Kanban.