Over centuries, the waterfall model had been a traditional method for project management in the sphere of software development. The linear and sequential approach in this case involves doing one phase after another, with limited or no space left for alterations in any way. Nevertheless, as the industry developed and the need to be agile became evident, the flawed nature of the waterfall model was made evident. Here, Kanban strikes!
The Kanban approach was first conceived by Toyota in the 1940s as a project management method and it consists of visualizing the work, limiting WIP, and continuous improvement. It is a thin and versatile method which allows teams to react promptly on alterations in order to eliminate delays and improve value creation speed. Software development teams can get rid of waterfall bug by implementing Kanban.
The waterfall bug is a name for built-in rigidity and inflexibility typical for the waterfall model. This method defines requirements at the beginning of a given phase after completion that is non-repeatable. Any modifications or new insight that develops as the product is under review is hard to include, causing delay, re-working and disappointing the stakeholders. Collaboration is compromised, and there is limited creativity resulting to poor results due to the waterfall bug.
However, Kanban takes care of the waterfall bug by providing a highly adoptive and responsive environment. Here’s how it can help fix the waterfall bug:
1. Visualizing the workflow:
The use of visual boards that are usually broken into various columns representing successive processes of evolution is at the core of kanban. The visual representation enables teams to visualise the work in progress, identify the constraints, and take critical decisions regarding what has precedence and where to reallocate resources. When working toward a common goal, teams should have in mind their view of the workflow and how to progress into substantial areas of work without straying along linear stages.
2. Limiting work in progress (WIP):
One of the main tenets of Kanban is to ensure that there are never more than some definite quantity of tasks or user stories that are in progress simultaneously. It also avoids overwhelming the team, thus achieving efficiency in which every task must be accomplished prior to initiating another assignment. In doing so, teams will be able to curtail the waterfall bug syndrome that encourages accumulation of uncompleted tasks, switch-over, and increase overall efficiencies in production.
3. Continuous delivery:
The approach of Kanban is to produce, deliver small increments of value frequently, and increase delivery frequency. Rather than releasing a product at the end of phase, Kanban principle advocates for constant flow of products and hence enables provision of immediate feedback and correction in case of need. The iterative nature of this method allows teams to adapt to new demands, respond to feedback, and produce better final products.
4. Continuous improvement:
Kanban stresses the need for continuous improvement through reflection and small steps. Teams should continually analyze workflows and identify bottlenecks for improvements while experimenting with new approaches. With this mindset on improving, the waterfall bug is addressed by providing teams an opportunity to learn and improve throughout their projects thereby resulting in better outputs over time.
5. Collaboration and transparency:
Kanban enhances cooperation among the team and works with other shareholding partners. Showing how different tasks are connected, communicating effectively, and making certain that everyone within the team has the same focus regarding the objectives will help create a collaborative working environment. The waterfall bug is usually a siloed and sequential process that can be defeated using this collaborative approach which enhances coordination and teamwork.
Finally, Kanban provides an effective means of eliminating the flaw in the waterfall phenomenon which has been a thorn on the flesh of software development projects for decades. With a view of the workflow, restriction of work in progress, continuous delivery and improvement, and promotion of transparency and cooperation, Kanban makes the team more appropriate to changes, faster reacting on these changes, and effective at its job. Adoption of Kanban allows software development teams to discard the limitations of waterfall model, giving way for an innovative approach.
