Minimizing Waste in Projects

One of the core concepts of ensuring that you maximize value on any project is to minimize waste. Waste can lead to value being decreased.

What is Considered Waste?

Waste is really anything that is non-value added. These are things you may be doing on your project that add no value or do not contribute to the project's success. It is essential to reduce or minimize these non-value-added activities or components.

Types of Waste

• Partially Done Work:

  Work that has not been completed is considered waste. If time and resources are spent on incomplete work, it does not provide any value to stakeholders.

  Example: A software feature is half-built but never released.

• Extra Processes:

  Unnecessary steps in a process that do not add value.

  Example: Adding redundant approval steps that delay the project.

• Extra Features:

  Features that users do not need or use.

  Example: Adding advanced reporting features in an application when users only need basic reporting.

• Waiting:

  Any unnecessary delay in the project is considered waste.

  Example: Waiting for sign-offs that slow down the development process.

• Defects:

  Producing defective products requires extra time and resources to fix.

  Example: A bug in a software application that requires extensive debugging and testing.

Conclusion

On any project, whether Agile or traditional, it is crucial to identify wasteful activities and minimize them to maximize value-added work.