a·gen·tic a·gil·i·ty

The Importance of Batch to Optimise Flow

TL;DR; Breaking large backlog items into smaller pieces helps teams deliver faster and more predictably. The workshop uses a hands-on coin game to show that smaller batch sizes improve flow and reduce delivery time. Development managers should encourage teams to split work into smaller, manageable batches to boost efficiency and predictability.

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4 minute read
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https://nkdagility.com/resources/kwS9oPiz-Ny
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Duration

60 Minutes

Purpose

This workshop is designed to help groups of people realise the effect of breaking down large Backlog Items into smaller pieces of value has on the ability to deliver. This is part of queuing theory!

Prepared Materials

Read the instructions carefully in the Mural.

Facilitation Steps

Part 1: A Scrum Team

Feel free to show your real data, this is a visualization of a typical scrum team . Walkthrough each day, asking people what they see, what stands out.

Part 2: Coin Game

Note: Before you start, estimate how long it will take to get the full batch of coins from the first team member all the way to the customer. Add your estimate to the board on the right

Note: before you start estimate how long it will take to get the first batch of 5 coins from the first team member all the way to the customer. Additionally, estimate how long you think it will take for the customer to receive all the coins.

*Coins can only have their colour changed when in a “workstation” square and can only be changed to the colour of that workstation Coin colour can still only be changed one at a time Coins must still pass through each workstation and progress through all the colours

Part 3: Flow Exercise Debrief & Explore Implications of Batch Size

Takeaways

Facilitation Tips

Useful Files

n/a

Smart Classifications

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.

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