Action 4: Metrics

The metrics for Essential Flow are four dates for each work-stream (project).

Each work-stream that has multiple steps performed by multiple people can be divided into three parts.

Part one is the work that is done before the work-stream enters the Constraint.

Part two is the work that is done by the Constraint.

Part three is the work that is done after the work-stream has exited the Constraint.

These three parts generate the essential dates.

The date the work-stream starts.

The date the work-stream enters the constraint.

The date the work-stream leaves the constraint.

The date the work-stream is completed.

Just these four dates allow Essential Flow to do the calculations for staggering the start dates of work-streams, They also allow Essential Flow to generate signals about the work-stream when it requires additional attention.

The work-stream signals are simple.

A work-stream has started before it was scheduled.

A work-stream has finished later than it was scheduled.

Questions

Does your organization have a mechanism now to stagger the start dates of work (projects)?

How does your organization measure the progress of work now ?

What sort of signals or reports do you get now when a work-item or project is in trouble and needs attention?