Work in progress: Difference between revisions
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Work in progress (or WIP, work in process) | Work in progress (or WIP, work in process) refers to projects, tasks, or initiatives that are currently underway but not yet completed. By starting a task or project without finishing it yet, some resources have been spent on it but little or none of the value that is generated by completing the task can be enjoyed yet. Therefore as a general rule WIP should be minimised. | ||
A good analogy is a store's inventory. A store will often have to buy some products from a manufacturer to keep in stock so they are ready to sell immediately when a customer requests it. However, in the time between buying the product from the manufacturer and selling it to the customer, the store has paid for the inventory but not yet gained any value from it. | A good analogy is a store's inventory. A store will often have to buy some products from a manufacturer to keep in stock so they are ready to sell immediately when a customer requests it. However, in the time between buying the product from the manufacturer and selling it to the customer, the store has paid for the inventory but not yet gained any value from it. | ||
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* An author may have spent a substantial amount of time writing a book that is still only half finished. No readers will be able to read the book yet. The book will not generate income. | * An author may have spent a substantial amount of time writing a book that is still only half finished. No readers will be able to read the book yet. The book will not generate income. | ||
* A partially constructed building may already have taken significant time and effort from engineers and construction workers, but it can't yet be lived in or used otherwise. | * A partially constructed building may already have taken significant time and effort from engineers and construction workers, but it can't yet be lived in or used otherwise. | ||
* A software company may be developing a new app or updating an existing one. During the development process, they may be working on new features, fixing bugs, or improving the user interface. Until the software is released or the update is launched, the project is considered work in progress. | |||
Revision as of 07:26, 26 April 2023
Work in progress (or WIP, work in process) refers to projects, tasks, or initiatives that are currently underway but not yet completed. By starting a task or project without finishing it yet, some resources have been spent on it but little or none of the value that is generated by completing the task can be enjoyed yet. Therefore as a general rule WIP should be minimised.
A good analogy is a store's inventory. A store will often have to buy some products from a manufacturer to keep in stock so they are ready to sell immediately when a customer requests it. However, in the time between buying the product from the manufacturer and selling it to the customer, the store has paid for the inventory but not yet gained any value from it.
Examples:
- An author may have spent a substantial amount of time writing a book that is still only half finished. No readers will be able to read the book yet. The book will not generate income.
- A partially constructed building may already have taken significant time and effort from engineers and construction workers, but it can't yet be lived in or used otherwise.
- A software company may be developing a new app or updating an existing one. During the development process, they may be working on new features, fixing bugs, or improving the user interface. Until the software is released or the update is launched, the project is considered work in progress.