Able Quote by Gene Kim
“Remember, it goes beyond reducing WIP. Being able to take needless work out of the system is more important than being able to put more work into the system.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Phoenix Project by Gene Kim, Kevin Behr, George Spafford, 2013
Effective workflow focuses on eliminating unnecessary tasks rather than merely increasing capacity.
In simple terms: Removing waste is more vital than adding work.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize waste reduction.
Themes
efficiency
lean
workflow
productivity
Mood
focused
pragmatic
Type
advice
process
When to use this quote
- software development
- project planning
- process improvement
- team management
Key Concepts
lean management
systems thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- What tasks can you cut today?
- How does waste removal improve quality?
A Different Perspective
Eliminating waste can be harder than adding capacity.
![“Bill Baker, a distinguished engineer at Microsoft, quipped that we used to treat servers like pets: “You name them and when they get sick, you nurse them back to health. [Now] servers are [treated] like cattle. You number them and when they get sick, you shoot them.” quote by Gene Kim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e7b/gene-kim-2268_health_bill-baker-a-distinguished-engineer-at-m_187582.jpg)
