The Importance of Managing Work in Progress (WIP)
29 April 2018
The following example illustrates the importance of managing work in progress (WIP). While the scenarios pertain to a Scrum project, the point applies to other types of projects—such as Kanban and SAFe—as well.
Take a look at the results at the end of a sprint on a Scrum project. There are two scenarios. Both have the same user stories with the same story points for each:
- User story 1: 13 story points
- User story 2: 8 story points
- User story 3: 3 story points
- User story 4: 5 story points
- User story 5: 1 story point
- User story 6: 3 story points
- User story 7: 1 story point
Scenario A
Here are some details on A:
- User story 1: 70 hours of work performed, 5 hours of work remaining
- User story 2: 51 hours of work performed, no work remaining (and it meets the Definition of Done [DoD])
- User story 3: 45 hours of work performed, 13 hours of work remaining
- User story 4: 29 hours of work performed, no work remaining (and it meets the DoD)
- User story 5: 3 hours of work performed, 2 hours of work remaining
- User story 6: 30 hours of work performed, 17 hours of work remaining
- User story 7: 4 hours of work performed, 1 hour of work remaining
A is summarized as:
- 232 hours of work was performed, and 38 hours of work remains
- 2 user stories were done, and 5 user stories were not completed
Scenario B
Here are some details on B:
- User story 1: 75 hours of work performed, no work remaining (and it meets the DoD)
- User story 2: 51 hours of work performed, no work remaining (and it meets the DoD)
- User story 3: 58 hours of work performed, no work remaining (and it meets the DoD)
- User story 4: 29 hours of work performed, no work remaining (and it meets the DoD)
- User story 5: 5 hours of work performed, no work remaining (and it meets the DoD)
- User story 6: 14 hours of work performed, 33 hours of work remaining
- User story 5: no work performed, and five hours of work remaining
B is summarized as:
- 232 hours of work was performed, and 38 hours of work remains
- 5 user stories were done, and 2 user stories were not completed
What Counts
Scrum requires teams to build an increment of functionality during every sprint. Only work meeting the Definition of Done (DoD) is counted as complete, demonstrated at the sprint review meeting, and is potentially shippable.
There were two scenarios. Both had the same user stories with the same story points for each, and the same amount of work hours performed. Yet the outcomes were dramatically different. In A, 2 user stories were done--and are to be demonstrated at the sprint review meeting, and are potentially shippable. In B, 5 user stories were done--and are to be demonstrated at the sprint review meeting, and are potentially shippable. B is the better scenario.
A possible explanation for the differences between the two situations is that the Scrum team in B may have done a better job of limiting Work in Progress.
To learn more about agile/Scrum, check out the award-winning book, Agile Scrum: Your Quick Start Guide with Step-by-Step Instructions. You're invited to visit the digital press kit, watch the trailer, and pick up a copy of the publication. It’s offered in digital and print formats.
The ebook (ASIN: B01FZ0JIIY) is available in:
- Australia,
- Brazil,
- Canada,
- France,
- Germany,
- India,
- Italy,
- Japan,
- Mexico,
- the Netherlands,
- Spain,
- the United Kingdom, and
- the United States.
The paperback (ISBN-13: 9781533370242) is for sale at:
- Amazon,
- Barnes & Noble,
- Strand Books,
- Harvard Book Store,
- Books-a-Million,
- The Booksmith,
- Hudson Booksellers,
- Savoy Bookshop & Café,
- Compass Books at SFO/Books Inc.,
- Books & Books - Miami,
- University Press Books - Berkeley,
- and other retailers and partners in the United States and around the world.
© Copyright 2018 Scott M. Graffius. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the express written permission of Scott M. Graffius.
Agile Project Management: Insights from Scott M. Graffius in ‘Managing Information Technology’ Book
02 September 2024
BY SCOTT M. GRAFFIUS | ScottGraffius.com
Insights from Scott M. Graffius in New Book on Technology Management
Scott M. Graffius' award-winning Agile Scrum: Your Quick Start Guide with Step-by-Step Instructions book is featured on AgileScrumGuide.com, which also provides news, tips, and resources on Agile and Scrum.
The Agile Project Management chapter in the new book, Managing Information Technology (Second Edition), draws on Scott M. Graffius’ insights published on AgileScrumGuide.com regarding the potentially shippable product increment (PSPI) and the minimum viable product (MVP) approach.
As shown, Graffius is listed in the references section of Managing Information Technology (Second Edition).
About Managing Information Technology (Second Edition)
The following is a synopsis of the 2024 book based on information on Amazon.
Taking the fundamental principles of IT service management and best practices in project management (including agile), Managing Information Technology (Second Edition) offers a single, seamless reference for IT managers and others involved or interested in the profession. Authors Francisco Castillo and Korina Monoso leveraged their considerable industry experience in informing readers how to apply the information conveyed in the book into the workplace.
The book is available in digital and print formats.
Visit the publisher’s website to learn more.
Agile Scrum: Your Quick Start Guide with Step-by-Step Instructions book, and content on AgileScrumGuide.com, are copyright © Scott M. Graffius. Managing Information Technology (Second Edition) cover image and content are the property of Springer, the editors, or the authors.
About Scott M. Graffius
Scott M. Graffius, PMP, SA, CSP-SM, CSP-PO, CSM, CSPO, ITIL, LSSGB is an Agile project management expert practitioner, consultant, creator, multi-award-winning author, and international public speaker.
He's generated over $1.9 billion of business value in aggregate for Global Fortune 500 businesses and other organizations he's served. Businesses and industries range from consumer products to advanced technology (including AI and R&D), e-commerce, music, streaming/OTT video, television, film, video games, financial services, government, and more.
Graffius and content from his books (Agile Scrum: Your Quick Start Guide with Step-by-Step Instructions and Agile Transformation: A Brief Story of How an Entertainment Company Developed New Capabilities and Unlocked Business Agility to Thrive in an Era of Rapid Change), talks, workshops, and more have been featured and used by businesses, professional associations, governments, and universities around the world. Examples include Adobe, American Management Association, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Bayer, Boston University, Broadcom, Cisco, Deimos Aerospace, DevOps Institute, EU's European Commission, Ford Motor Company, Hasso Plattner Institute Germany, IEEE, Johns Hopkins University, London South Bank University, Microsoft, National Academy of Sciences, New Zealand Government, Oracle, Project Management Institute, Torrens University Australia, UC San Diego, TBS Switzerland, UK Sports Institute, University of Galway Ireland, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. National Park Service, U.S. Tennis Association, Virginia Tech, Warsaw University of Technology, Yale University, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, and many others.
He delights audiences around the world with dynamic and engaging talks and workshops. He's presented sessions at 91 conferences and other events across 25 countries. Visit here to learn more and here to ask Scott to speak at your event.
About Agile Scrum: Your Quick Start Guide with Step-by-Step Instructions
Shifting customer needs are common in today's marketplace. Businesses must be adaptive and responsive to change while delivering an exceptional customer experience to be competitive.
There are a variety of frameworks supporting the development of products and services, and most approaches fall into one of two broad categories: traditional or agile. Traditional practices such as waterfall engage sequential development, while agile involves iterative and incremental deliverables. Organizations are increasingly embracing agile to manage projects, and best meet their business needs of rapid response to change, fast delivery speed, and more.
With clear and easy to follow step-by-step instructions, Scott M. Graffius's award-winning Agile Scrum: Your Quick Start Guide with Step-by-Step Instructions helps the reader:
Hailed by Literary Titan as “the book highlights the versatility of Scrum beautifully.”
Winner of 17 first place awards.
Agile Scrum: Your Quick Start Guide with Step-by-Step Instructions is available in paperback and ebook/Kindle in the United States and around the world. Some links by country follow.
About Agile Transformation: A Brief Story of How an Entertainment Company Developed New Capabilities and Unlocked Business Agility to Thrive in an Era of Rapid Change
Thriving in today's marketplace frequently depends on making a transformation to become more agile. Those successful in the transition enjoy faster delivery speed and ROI, higher satisfaction, continuous improvement, and additional benefits.
Based on actual events, Agile Transformation: A Brief Story of How an Entertainment Company Developed New Capabilities and Unlocked Business Agility to Thrive in an Era of Rapid Change provides a quick (60-90 minute) read about a successful agile transformation at a multinational entertainment and media company, told from the author's perspective as an agile coach.
The award-winning book by Scott M. Graffius is available in paperback and ebook/Kindle in the United States and around the world. Some links by country follow.
How to Cite This Article
Graffius, Scott M. (2024, September 2). Agile Project Management: Insights from Scott M. Graffius in ‘Managing Information Technology’ Book. Available at: https://scottgraffius.com/blog/files/mit2.html.
Post-Publication Notes
If there are any supplements or updates to this article after the date of publication, they will appear here.
A PDF of this article is (coming soon)
The short link for this article is (coming soon)
© Copyright 2024 Scott M. Graffius. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the express written permission of Scott M. Graffius.
Insights from Scott M. Graffius in New Book on Technology Management
Scott M. Graffius' award-winning Agile Scrum: Your Quick Start Guide with Step-by-Step Instructions book is featured on AgileScrumGuide.com, which also provides news, tips, and resources on Agile and Scrum.
The Agile Project Management chapter in the new book, Managing Information Technology (Second Edition), draws on Scott M. Graffius’ insights published on AgileScrumGuide.com regarding the potentially shippable product increment (PSPI) and the minimum viable product (MVP) approach.
As shown, Graffius is listed in the references section of Managing Information Technology (Second Edition).
About Managing Information Technology (Second Edition)
The following is a synopsis of the 2024 book based on information on Amazon.
Taking the fundamental principles of IT service management and best practices in project management (including agile), Managing Information Technology (Second Edition) offers a single, seamless reference for IT managers and others involved or interested in the profession. Authors Francisco Castillo and Korina Monoso leveraged their considerable industry experience in informing readers how to apply the information conveyed in the book into the workplace.
The book is available in digital and print formats.
Visit the publisher’s website to learn more.
Agile Scrum: Your Quick Start Guide with Step-by-Step Instructions book, and content on AgileScrumGuide.com, are copyright © Scott M. Graffius. Managing Information Technology (Second Edition) cover image and content are the property of Springer, the editors, or the authors.
About Scott M. Graffius
Scott M. Graffius, PMP, SA, CSP-SM, CSP-PO, CSM, CSPO, ITIL, LSSGB is an Agile project management expert practitioner, consultant, creator, multi-award-winning author, and international public speaker.
He's generated over $1.9 billion of business value in aggregate for Global Fortune 500 businesses and other organizations he's served. Businesses and industries range from consumer products to advanced technology (including AI and R&D), e-commerce, music, streaming/OTT video, television, film, video games, financial services, government, and more.
Graffius and content from his books (Agile Scrum: Your Quick Start Guide with Step-by-Step Instructions and Agile Transformation: A Brief Story of How an Entertainment Company Developed New Capabilities and Unlocked Business Agility to Thrive in an Era of Rapid Change), talks, workshops, and more have been featured and used by businesses, professional associations, governments, and universities around the world. Examples include Adobe, American Management Association, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Bayer, Boston University, Broadcom, Cisco, Deimos Aerospace, DevOps Institute, EU's European Commission, Ford Motor Company, Hasso Plattner Institute Germany, IEEE, Johns Hopkins University, London South Bank University, Microsoft, National Academy of Sciences, New Zealand Government, Oracle, Project Management Institute, Torrens University Australia, UC San Diego, TBS Switzerland, UK Sports Institute, University of Galway Ireland, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. National Park Service, U.S. Tennis Association, Virginia Tech, Warsaw University of Technology, Yale University, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, and many others.
He delights audiences around the world with dynamic and engaging talks and workshops. He's presented sessions at 91 conferences and other events across 25 countries. Visit here to learn more and here to ask Scott to speak at your event.
About Agile Scrum: Your Quick Start Guide with Step-by-Step Instructions
Shifting customer needs are common in today's marketplace. Businesses must be adaptive and responsive to change while delivering an exceptional customer experience to be competitive.
There are a variety of frameworks supporting the development of products and services, and most approaches fall into one of two broad categories: traditional or agile. Traditional practices such as waterfall engage sequential development, while agile involves iterative and incremental deliverables. Organizations are increasingly embracing agile to manage projects, and best meet their business needs of rapid response to change, fast delivery speed, and more.
With clear and easy to follow step-by-step instructions, Scott M. Graffius's award-winning Agile Scrum: Your Quick Start Guide with Step-by-Step Instructions helps the reader:
- Implement and use the most popular agile framework―Scrum;
- Deliver products in short cycles with rapid adaptation to change, fast time-to-market, and continuous improvement; and
- Support innovation and drive competitive advantage.
Hailed by Literary Titan as “the book highlights the versatility of Scrum beautifully.”
Winner of 17 first place awards.
Agile Scrum: Your Quick Start Guide with Step-by-Step Instructions is available in paperback and ebook/Kindle in the United States and around the world. Some links by country follow.
- 🇧🇷 Brazil
- 🇨🇦 Canada
- 🇨🇿 Czech Republic
- 🇩🇰 Denmark
- 🇫🇮 Finland
- 🇫🇷 France
- 🇩🇪 Germany
- 🇬🇷 Greece
- 🇭🇺 Hungary
- 🇮🇳 India
- 🇮🇪 Ireland
- 🇮🇱 Israel
- 🇮🇹 Italy
- 🇯🇵 Japan
- 🇱🇺 Luxembourg
- 🇲🇽 Mexico
- 🇳🇱 Netherlands
- 🇳🇿 New Zealand
- 🇳🇴 Norway
- 🇪🇸 Spain
- 🇸🇪 Sweden
- 🇨🇭 Switzerland
- 🇦🇪 UAE
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- 🇺🇸 United States
About Agile Transformation: A Brief Story of How an Entertainment Company Developed New Capabilities and Unlocked Business Agility to Thrive in an Era of Rapid Change
Thriving in today's marketplace frequently depends on making a transformation to become more agile. Those successful in the transition enjoy faster delivery speed and ROI, higher satisfaction, continuous improvement, and additional benefits.
Based on actual events, Agile Transformation: A Brief Story of How an Entertainment Company Developed New Capabilities and Unlocked Business Agility to Thrive in an Era of Rapid Change provides a quick (60-90 minute) read about a successful agile transformation at a multinational entertainment and media company, told from the author's perspective as an agile coach.
The award-winning book by Scott M. Graffius is available in paperback and ebook/Kindle in the United States and around the world. Some links by country follow.
- 🇦🇺 Australia
- 🇦🇹 Austria
- 🇧🇷 Brazil
- 🇨🇦 Canada
- 🇨🇿 Czech Republic
- 🇩🇰 Denmark
- 🇫🇮 Finland
- 🇫🇷 France
- 🇩🇪 Germany
- 🇬🇷 Greece
- 🇮🇳 India
- 🇮🇪 Ireland
- 🇯🇵 Japan
- 🇱🇺 Luxembourg
- 🇲🇽 Mexico
- 🇳🇱 Netherlands
- 🇳🇿 New Zealand
- 🇪🇸 Spain
- 🇸🇪 Sweden
- 🇨🇭 Switzerland
- 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- 🇺🇸 United States
How to Cite This Article
Graffius, Scott M. (2024, September 2). Agile Project Management: Insights from Scott M. Graffius in ‘Managing Information Technology’ Book. Available at: https://scottgraffius.com/blog/files/mit2.html.
Post-Publication Notes
If there are any supplements or updates to this article after the date of publication, they will appear here.
A PDF of this article is (coming soon)
The short link for this article is (coming soon)
© Copyright 2024 Scott M. Graffius. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the express written permission of Scott M. Graffius.