Improving Process
Continuous process improvement is a structured approach to improving the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of how teams build software products.
Purpose
Good process helps people to more efficiently and effectively execute the tasks involved in product development without having to reinvent the wheel every time.
- Enhanced Efficiency: Continuous refinement of the process increases productivity and reduces waste.
- Improved Team Dynamics: Clear processes ensure that teams know what to expect and when during product development which removes unnecessary conflicts.
- Higher Quality Outcomes: Systematic improvement efforts lead to higher quality products and services.
Context
Industry Context
Processes are a collection of best practices for the execution of particular activities. Best practices are not constant though. They are dependent on the principles of what you are trying to achieve as well as the context of the time that the process was created. This means that over time, as contexts change, the best practices become less fit for purpose.
ZeroBlockers Context
A lot of the best practices that we have today are based on the context of the 20th Century when mass manufacturing was the dominant economic model. But the processes that you need to repeatedly build the same product are very different to the processes that you need to design a brand new product. ZeroBlockers is a framework built on the context that in software development people are always building something new. This means that the processes need to enable iterative cycles of validation with users to ensure that you are building something that people actually want and will use.
Methods
| Method | Description | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Value Stream Mapping | Analysing and improving the flow of value through processes to eliminate waste and increase efficiency. | Establishes a baseline for measuring progress and prioritising actions. |
| Instrumenting the Product | The process of integrating monitoring tools and code within an application to collect data on its operation, such as performance metrics, error rates, and usage patterns. | Enables real-time visibility into application behaviour, facilitates troubleshooting, and supports performance optimisation. |
| Making Work Visible | Visualise all of the work that a team is doing including mission work, maintenance work and unplanned work. | Helps to identify where teams are really spending their time. |
| Retrospectives | Regular meetings to reflect on the outcomes of improvement efforts and plan the next steps. | Facilitates learning from experience and adjustments to strategies. |
Design
| Method | Description | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Ideation Sessions | We re-use the same process that we use for identifying product solutions to identify process improvements. | Focuses efforts and resources on specific, impactful changes. |
Delivery
| Method | Description | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| PDCA Cycles (Plan-Do-Check-Act) | Implementing small, incremental changes and evaluating their impact to continuously refine the process. | Enables rapid experimentation and learning. |
Anti-patterns
- Settling for the Status Quo: Failing to challenge existing processes or explore new ways of working.
- Over-Complicating the Process: Introducing unnecessary steps or practices that add complexity without value.
Case Studies
Enhancing Employee Experience through Continuous Process Improvement
How VMware has improved employee experiences by streamlining processes, automating tasks, and adopting new technologies through continuous process improvement.
VMware
Creating a Development Process that Fits Your Organization
How Loop54 improved their development process to enhance efficiency, collaboration, and product quality.
Loop54
Integrating UX and Agile at Yousician
How Yousician integrated UX design into their Agile development process to enhance product quality and user satisfaction.
Yousician
Building High-Performance Teams through Continuous Process Improvement
How Atlassian has leveraged continuous process improvement to build high-performing teams, emphasizing the importance of culture, trust, and systematic thinking.
Atlassian
