Output outruns the people who review it
Start here
The Cap
Cap how much work can be in flight at the stage where the queue forms, with an agreed rule for what happens at the cap.
Try this first
Count what is open at the review stage. Set a number. Agree that nothing new starts until something clears.
Borrowed from work-in-progress limits from lean manufacturing and kanban. Read the original source.
Other moves for this problem (6 of 6)
Kind of change
- Mise en place · Set everything up before you startFor when: Work is chaotic because setup gets skipped and prep is seen as overhead.
- The Backpressure SignalFor when: Reviewers are falling behind the volume of AI output and feel they can't say so.
- The sterile cockpit · No side talk during critical workFor when: Critical work is being derailed by chatter and interruptions.
- Verification before disseminationFor when: Speed is being rewarded over accuracy.
- The pass · One final quality gate before work goes outFor when: There's no final quality gate and work leaves the team unchecked.
- The Bar RaiserFor when: The quality bar slips under delivery pressure and the shippers are also the judges.