In his article “WIP It Real Good,” John Cutler examines the systemic challenges organizations face when attempting to reduce high levels of work-in-progress (WIP). He identifies common adaptations—such as excessive handoffs, reliance on shared resources, and a culture of saying “yes”—that, while initially beneficial, become entrenched obstacles to efficiency and focus. Cutler emphasizes that these issues are deeply rooted in organizational structures and mindsets, making change difficult. To address this, he proposes a series of reflective questions aimed at uncovering and challenging these ingrained practices, thereby fostering a more sustainable and effective workflow.
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