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Guide to Work-in-Progress (WIP) Limit in Scrum-Kanban

What is WIP Limit?
In Scrum-Kanban, Work-In-Progress (WIP) limit is a strategy used to prevent overloading of teamwork and to maintain a smooth flow of work. It sets an upper limit on the number of work items that can be in progress at a certain stage in the workflow.

Why is it important?
WIP limits are vital as they help in reducing multitasking, revealing bottlenecks, increasing throughput, and improving the predictability of the cycle times.

How it works?
Limiting work in progress implies that a pull system is implemented on parts or on the whole workflow. This ensures that a team maintains focus and delivers work incrementally.

Exams Tips: Answering Questions on Work in Progress Limit
1. Understand the essence: Remember that the purpose of WIP limits is to enhance efficiency and productivity, by preventing overworking and managing workflow.
2. Refer to real-life scenarios: To better answer, illustrate with real-life examples where WIP limits have improved work process.
3. Specify its advantages: To highlight its importance, always include the primary benefits - reducing multitasking, revealing bottlenecks, and improving throughput.
4. Language is key: Answer in clear, concise language. Applying the right terminologies goes a long way so remember terms like 'pull system' and 'incremental delivery'.

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Work in Progress Limit practice test

Work in Progress (WIP) limit as part of Kanban is a strategy to prevent overproduction and promote productivity. WIP limits restrict the maximum amount of work items in the different stages of the workflow. Limiting WIP is the defining characteristic of Kanban, and it serves to reveal bottlenecks and backups in the team's workflow due to issues that are currently being worked on. This results in a smoother flow of work, quicker identification of blockers, and an overall increase in throughput and productivity.

Time: 5 minutes   Questions: 5

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  • 3547 Superior-grade Professional Scrum Master I practice questions.
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