Blocked Columns vs Stalled Work in Project Boards
Explains why using blocked columns for stalled tasks on project boards harms workflow, and suggests better ways to highlight and address blocked work …
TL;DR; Using a blocked column in Azure DevOps causes work to stall and be forgotten, rather than resolved. Instead, use a visible blocked tag and keep items in their active state to maintain focus and encourage action. Track blockages to address root causes and keep work moving.
If your team is using a “Blocked” column in Azure DevOps, you’re probably doing it wrong.
Why? Because work doesn’t flow through blocked—it stops there. And once it’s there, it tends to stay there.
Instead of a blocked column, try this:
This keeps the problem in sight while preventing blocked work from becoming a dumping ground. More importantly, it helps teams take action instead of waiting for work to magically resolve itself.
How does your team flag ‘blocked’ work?
Each classification [Concepts, Categories, & Tags] was assigned using AI-powered semantic analysis and scored across relevance, depth, and alignment. Final decisions? Still human. Always traceable. Hover to see how it applies.
If you've made it this far, it's worth connecting with our principal consultant and coach, Martin Hinshelwood, for a 30-minute 'ask me anything' call.
We partner with businesses across diverse industries, including finance, insurance, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, technology, engineering, transportation, hospitality, entertainment, legal, government, and military sectors.
Flowmaster (a Mentor Graphics Company)
NIT A/S
Xceptor - Process and Data Automation
Sage
Microsoft
Slaughter and May
Big Data for Humans
Jack Links
Milliman
Emerson Process Management
Lean SA
Brandes Investment Partners L.P.
Ericson
Healthgrades
Bistech
New Signature
Deliotte
MacDonald Humfrey (Automation) Ltd.
Department of Work and Pensions (UK)
Ghana Police Service
New Hampshire Supreme Court
Washington Department of Transport
Nottingham County Council
Royal Air Force
Illumina
Schlumberger
Emerson Process Management
Boxit Document Solutions
Lockheed Martin
Brandes Investment Partners L.P.