🌱 Unmasking the Myth of Waste: Beyond Tangibility 🌱
In the realm of industry, waste has often been associated with tangible, visible forms—misshapen products in a factory or spilled goods in a supermarket. Yet, in the corporate landscape, particularly within the agile framework, waste takes on a far more nuanced and enigmatic form.
In the context of a smaller company, efficiency metrics may not always be precise or insightful. This isn't necessarily due to a lack of importance but rather the overwhelming focus on delivering outcomes. However, there comes a point when the emphasis shifts from delivering to deliverables. The unyielding question then becomes: How does your company fare in terms of delivering excellence over mere deliverables?
How about an Example?
Let's delve into the world of software development, specifically scrum methodology. It's a scenario I've witnessed countless times. A team has a grooming session planned, yet there are either no tickets or they are inadequately defined. When questioned, the product owner might casually respond with, "I'll have it ready in time for grooming." This mindset often results in a hasty, back-and-forth process, leading to what seems like perpetual adjustments.
But, does your process account for this intricate back-and-forth, or do you find yourself caught off guard during sprint planning? How healthy is your backlog at this moment?
The outcome is that we might believe we're aligned on work when, in reality, we are not. We might accept work under the assumption that we can refine it during the sprint. This leads to a stressful and unreliable environment, with the worst part being the inordinate waste it generates. Working under strained timelines results in poor-quality work, which, in turn, leads to inaccurate requirements and ultimately a failed deliverable. While perseverance sometimes helps us weather these challenges, it normalizes suboptimal practices.
It’s working fine. What’s the problem?
What's most disconcerting is that people often perceive these practices as functional because the waste is intangible, and no one is urgently sounding the alarm. This leads to an environment that inadvertently promotes a culture of working overtime, long days and nights to make up for inefficiencies, and, most damaging of all, a place where work becomes a dreaded chore.
As I reflect on the concept of waste, I find myself inevitably drawn to the eight wastes in lean methodology, a lens through which I've come to view the world, both personally and professionally. Shifting the timing of your actions and optimizing seemingly minor aspects of your process can significantly impact your team's performance and overall well-being. This story isn't unique; it resonates across different frameworks and contexts. Just because you're "making it work" doesn't mean the process is working.
So what do I do?
If you've read this far, you've likely encountered or are currently dealing with a similar situation. Here's my challenge to you:
Dive into a high-level overview of the eight wastes (search "DOWNTIME" on Google).
Take a few moments to reflect on your routines or processes, whether at work or home. Identify areas where waste may hide.
Take action. If it's a personal routine, experiment with a new approach. If it's at work, document why the process is inefficient and how it could be improved.
Even if you don't discuss it with anyone or put your ideas into practice, this exercise is incredibly beneficial. It trains your mind to scrutinize tasks in a new light, asking why you do things a certain way. I once completely reorganized my kitchen due to a spaghetti diagram I drew—it's amazing what you might discover. Reach out and share your experiences; I'd love to hear your stories. 🌟🚀
