What is Work in Progress (WIP)?
The number of work items being worked on at the same time.
Definition
Work in progress (WIP) is the count of items a team or individual has started but not finished. High WIP is one of the most common, least-visible causes of slow delivery.
How it’s measured
Count items in active states (in progress, in review) at a point in time. Tracking average WIP alongside cycle time reveals Little's Law in action: more WIP means longer cycle times.
What good looks like
Lower is better. Teams that limit WIP — finishing work before starting new work — consistently deliver faster and with less context-switching. Many high-performing teams set explicit WIP limits.
Why it matters
Reducing WIP is the cheapest way to speed up delivery: no new tools, no more hours — just finishing things before starting more. It directly improves cycle time and focus.
Related terms
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