Does Ticket Size Matter?
In nearly every training session and consultancy engagement at Leagility, two ideas inevitably surface:
- Ticket size is critical.
- Tickets should be uniform in size if we want to do Kanban.
However, I challenge these notions as myths.
I stance is that “ticket size does NOT matter.” By this, I mean that while size may impact individual ticket cycle time, fixating on size overlooks the bigger picture.
In manufacturing, minimizing process and output variability is paramount. Consistency and minimal variability are sought after in production lines. Yet, in the realm of complex and uncertain knowledge work, variability is intrinsic. Here, we aim to break down work items into smaller, manageable tasks. However, this doesn’t mandate uniform ticket sizes.
I echo Dan Vacanti’s perspective from his scrum.org white paper, “Little’s Law for Professional Scrum with Kanban”:
“[…] more importantly, the variability in work item size is probably not the variability that is killing your predictability. Your bigger predictability problems are usually too much WIP, the frequency with which you violate Little’s Law’s assumptions, etc. Generally, those are easier problems to fix than trying to arbitrarily make all work items the same size. Even if you were in a context where size did matter, it would be more about right-sizing your work and not same-sizing your work.”
In essence, it’s about optimizing the size of work items based on their nature and requirements, rather than enforcing uniformity. Let’s focus on addressing the root causes of predictability issues, such as excessive work in progress or violations of fundamental principles like Little’s Law.
As we navigate the intricacies of managing work in dynamic environments, it’s essential to challenge conventional wisdom and embrace practices that align with the unique characteristics of knowledge work. Dispelling the myth of ticket size frees us to focus on more impactful factors influencing predictability and flow.
If you’re eager to delve deeper into enhancing predictability in your workflow, I invite you to explore our Applying Metrics for Predictability training. This comprehensive program empowers teams and organizations to harness the power of metrics effectively, enabling informed decision-making and improved predictability. By mastering the art of metrics application, you’ll gain invaluable insights into your workflow dynamics, driving greater efficiency and agility in your operations.
Join us on this transformative journey as we uncover better ways of managing work and achieving predictability in today’s ever-evolving landscape. Unlock the potential of your team and organization with our tailored training solutions. Let’s embark on this path to success together!
