Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) Lean Portfolio Management Practice Exam

What support does reviewing and validating Portfolio Kanban work-in-progress (WIP) limits provide?

1. Vision

2. Coordination

3. Guardrails

4. Flow

The correct answer is: Flow

Reviewing and validating Portfolio Kanban work-in-progress (WIP) limits is essential for ensuring smooth operational flow within an organization. The primary function of WIP limits is to prevent overloading teams by restricting the number of tasks that can be in progress simultaneously. This approach enhances the flow of value delivery by maintaining focus on completing work rather than starting new tasks, which can create bottlenecks. By actively managing WIP limits, teams can identify and address constraints in the workflow, leading to improved throughput and efficiency. This continuous assessment allows teams to respond dynamically to changes, ensuring that work is prioritized effectively, and resources are allocated optimally. Therefore, supporting flow is a crucial aspect of reviewing and validating WIP limits, making it the correct choice in this context. The other options are relevant to different aspects of Lean Portfolio Management but do not directly reflect the specific support provided by WIP limits in terms of optimizing workflow. For instance, while vision guides the direction of portfolio initiatives, and coordination involves harmonizing efforts across teams, these elements do not specifically pertain to the process of managing work in progress as fundamentally as flow does. Guardrails serve to define boundaries for decision-making but are not the primary focus of WIP management.