In many companies, especially those not traditionally focused on technology but trying to keep up with digital advances, a culture of high work-in-progress (WIP) is common. Being busy and switching tasks frequently is typical, with new demands coming from management, competitors, and regulations.
However, taking time to deeply understand a problem, which is tied to company goals, can lead to better results. The aim is to create a series of tests and theories that will help achieve these goals. In high WIP environments, the focus is often on using resources efficiently rather than achieving the best outcomes. For product managers and engineers, this means concentrating on how much work is being done rather than solving problems effectively.
To improve results, some parts of the technology team should focus on specific areas, like a certain part of the tech stack. This allows them to gain deeper knowledge and run tests more quickly, helping the company achieve its objectives.
For complex systems that involve many different components, engineering teams should have a specific focus, such as working on Android and checkout experiences. This allows both current and new team members to develop a deep understanding of their area and avoid switching between multiple tasks. This way, they can better address urgent requests and achieve better outcomes overall.
