WIP It Real Good

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.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/wip-real-good-john-cutler-bhwlc

Kanban Must Evolve in the Age of AI

In his article “Kanban Must Evolve in the Age of AI,” Jurgen Appelo argues that traditional Kanban boards, with their linear workflows, are inadequate for today’s AI-driven, nonlinear processes. Using examples from video editing, book publishing, and dining, he illustrates how modern workflows are complex and dynamic, defying simple sequential visualization. Appelo suggests that organizations should adopt flexible, AI-optimized systems that can handle the intricacies of contemporary value streams, moving beyond static boards to more adaptive, automated solutions.

https://substack.jurgenappelo.com/p/kanban-must-evolve-in-the-age-of