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GitScrum

GitScrum WIP

Managing Workflow with WIP Limits

GitScrum's WIP (Work in Progress) limit feature is designed to help teams manage their workflow more effectively by setting a maximum number of tasks that can be present in a specific column at any given time. This ensures that teams do not overload themselves with too many tasks simultaneously, promoting focus, efficiency, and better task prioritization.

GitScrum Work In Progress

The WIP limit can be configured for each column individually, allowing teams to tailor their workflow based on the nature of the work being done. It can also be disabled entirely by selecting NO WIP , giving teams flexibility depending on their needs.

How WIP Limits Work

Column-Specific Configuration:

The WIP limit can be enabled or disabled for each column in the board.

When enabled, you can specify the maximum number of tasks allowed in that column at any given time.

Example Scenario:

Suppose you configure the In Progress column with a WIP limit of 3 tasks.

If there are already 3 tasks in the In Progress column, no additional tasks can be moved into this column until one of the existing tasks is moved to another column (e.g., to Testing or Done ).

Customization Options:

You can set different WIP limits for different columns based on your workflow needs.

For example:

In Progress Column: Set a WIP limit of 3 tasks to ensure team members focus on completing current tasks before starting new ones.

Testing Column: Set a WIP limit of 5 tasks to manage the workload of testers effectively.

Disabling Auto Archive:

If you prefer manual archiving for certain columns, simply disable the Auto Archive Task feature for those columns. This gives you full control over which tasks are archived.

Steps to Configure WIP Limits

Access Column Settings:

Click on the column name or settings icon to access its configuration options.

Enable/Disable WIP Limit:

Toggle the WIP Limit option to enable or disable it for the selected column.

Set WIP Limit Value:

Enter the maximum number of tasks allowed in the column. For example, set it to 3 for the In Progress column.

Save Changes:

Once configured, save the settings to apply the changes.

Why Use WIP Limits?

Improved Focus: By limiting the number of tasks in progress, teams can concentrate on completing current tasks rather than starting new ones, reducing context-switching and improving productivity.

Better Task Prioritization: WIP limits encourage teams to prioritize tasks more effectively, ensuring that the most important work is completed first.

Reduced Overload: Prevents team members from taking on too many tasks at once, reducing stress and burnout while maintaining quality.

Enhanced Visibility: Highlights bottlenecks in the workflow, making it easier to identify and address issues early.

Practical Use Cases for WIP Limits

Software Development

Scenario: In the In Progress column, set a WIP limit of 3 tasks per developer.

Benefit: Ensures that developers focus on completing their current tasks before starting new ones, improving code quality and delivery speed.

Marketing Campaigns

Scenario: Set the Content Creation column to a WIP limit of 5 tasks to manage the workload of content creators.

Benefit: Helps maintain a steady flow of content production without overwhelming team members.

Event Planning

Scenario: Configure the Setup column with a WIP limit of 4 tasks to coordinate logistics effectively.

Benefit: Ensures that setup tasks are completed efficiently without overloading the team responsible for event preparation.

Support Teams

Scenario: In the Resolution column, set a WIP limit of 6 tasks to manage the workload of support agents.

Benefit: Reduces response times and improves customer satisfaction by ensuring that support tickets are handled promptly.

Best Practices for Using WIP Limits

Start Small: Begin with conservative WIP limits and adjust them as needed based on team performance and feedback.

Monitor Workflow: Regularly review the impact of WIP limits on your workflow and make adjustments to optimize efficiency.

Communicate with the Team: Ensure all team members understand the purpose of WIP limits and how they contribute to overall productivity.

Identify Bottlenecks: Use WIP limits to highlight areas where tasks are piling up and address these bottlenecks proactively.

Example Scenario: A Software Development Team

A software development team uses GitScrum to manage their workflow with the following columns: Todo , In Progress , Testing , and Done .

In Progress Column: Set a WIP limit of 3 tasks to ensure developers focus on completing their current tasks before starting new ones.

Testing Column: Configure a WIP limit of 5 tasks to manage the workload of testers effectively.

When a developer moves a task to the In Progress column, GitScrum enforces the WIP limit. If there are already 3 tasks in this column, no additional tasks can be moved into it until one of the existing tasks is completed and moved to another column (e.g., Testing ). Similarly, the Testing column ensures that testers are not overwhelmed with too many tasks at once.

By leveraging the WIP Limit feature, teams can control their workflow, reduce multitasking, and improve focus, ultimately leading to higher productivity and better outcomes. This ensures that everyone stays aligned with project goals while maintaining a balanced workload.

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