There are two simultaneous goals we cover with visualization.
1. Focus. The task at hand and the next one. And maybe, just maybe, one more. That's it.
2. Big picture. The overarching view of the whole endeavor in its current state.
Historically, visual boards came mostly as a response to [2]. Before that, we had task lists, which we filtered only to "my tasks" and wouldn't give a flying damn about what was on anybody else's desk.
Enters kanban board, and the only thing we have is the whole thing, so whenever we look at *our* stuff, we look at *everyone else's* too.
A side note: that's why I always had a rule of thumb of having a max of two-digit number of items (any items) on the board. Beyond that, it's just a colorful mess. A side note to side note: with big control boards (obeya anyone?) I'd suggest a higher limit as we rarely focus on the whole thing, and rather on sections of it.
But then, we could instantly refocus on our own stuff because the board was physical. Zooming in and out with the physical visualization is just... natural. We don't even consciously think about doing that.
It's not so with digital tools. Screen estate is a limiting factor. There's no way to see the whole board on one screen. Zooming in and out require conscious effort (scrolling). So we go back to filters to regain lost focus.
But isn't it a step back into the old-school filtered task lists, which were a problem in the first place?
I've been paying attention lately to how my brain responds (quite) differently to a physical versus digital kanban. I use both regularly, but right now I've far too much work to manage (individually, not shared) to confine myself simply to Post-its on a wall.
Though I wish I could, particularly when my cognitive load feels well beyond my capacity (like right now during the aftermath of my move).
When I am dealing with a physical space, my brain is easily able to take in everything in front of me. The space itself often serves as a (beneficial) constraint. But once that space is digital, it allows (encourages?) more. Lots more.
Which requires far more filtering. Then scrolling in. Then zooming out. Trying to see different parts (or not seeing different parts) demands far more effort from my brain, causing far more of a drain on my prefrontal cortex - which in turn (ironically) impedes my executive functions and likewise contributes to my WIP.
So I don't feel limiting my view right now is a regression, but instead a temporary strategy to regain my sense of control giving my brain what it needs most right now: clarity, focus, completion (a sense of control) and then the calm and confidence I need to help get me out of my cycle of overwhelm.
I'd so much wish people were conscious enough to understand both the cognitive and workflow-related consequences of decisions like:
- Filtering out only their tasks
- Limiting the view of the whole board to only a small part
- etc.
We're working exclusively with clients in other countries. Physical boards are not an option for us. While engineers generally love the digital ones for all the convenience of linking stuff, storing additional information, marking dependencies, etc., I see it *also* as a limiting factor.
It's just so easy to lose sight of the big picture.
Now, I wish most people were as conscious as you are to notice the tradeoffs they're making by filtering boards, focusing on their own tasks only, etc. Unfortunately, they are not.
It's more of a coping mechanism. "There are 100+ items on the board. I won't even look at them. Just give me the 3 of them that are relevant for me, and I'll ignore the rest."
Visualization is not as simplistic as it looks at first glance.
A side note: I'd love to see an article on how working with large and messy digital boards affects our cognitive abilities.
There are two simultaneous goals we cover with visualization.
1. Focus. The task at hand and the next one. And maybe, just maybe, one more. That's it.
2. Big picture. The overarching view of the whole endeavor in its current state.
Historically, visual boards came mostly as a response to [2]. Before that, we had task lists, which we filtered only to "my tasks" and wouldn't give a flying damn about what was on anybody else's desk.
Enters kanban board, and the only thing we have is the whole thing, so whenever we look at *our* stuff, we look at *everyone else's* too.
A side note: that's why I always had a rule of thumb of having a max of two-digit number of items (any items) on the board. Beyond that, it's just a colorful mess. A side note to side note: with big control boards (obeya anyone?) I'd suggest a higher limit as we rarely focus on the whole thing, and rather on sections of it.
But then, we could instantly refocus on our own stuff because the board was physical. Zooming in and out with the physical visualization is just... natural. We don't even consciously think about doing that.
It's not so with digital tools. Screen estate is a limiting factor. There's no way to see the whole board on one screen. Zooming in and out require conscious effort (scrolling). So we go back to filters to regain lost focus.
But isn't it a step back into the old-school filtered task lists, which were a problem in the first place?
It's *always* good to hear from you, Pawel!
I've been paying attention lately to how my brain responds (quite) differently to a physical versus digital kanban. I use both regularly, but right now I've far too much work to manage (individually, not shared) to confine myself simply to Post-its on a wall.
Though I wish I could, particularly when my cognitive load feels well beyond my capacity (like right now during the aftermath of my move).
When I am dealing with a physical space, my brain is easily able to take in everything in front of me. The space itself often serves as a (beneficial) constraint. But once that space is digital, it allows (encourages?) more. Lots more.
Which requires far more filtering. Then scrolling in. Then zooming out. Trying to see different parts (or not seeing different parts) demands far more effort from my brain, causing far more of a drain on my prefrontal cortex - which in turn (ironically) impedes my executive functions and likewise contributes to my WIP.
So I don't feel limiting my view right now is a regression, but instead a temporary strategy to regain my sense of control giving my brain what it needs most right now: clarity, focus, completion (a sense of control) and then the calm and confidence I need to help get me out of my cycle of overwhelm.
I'd so much wish people were conscious enough to understand both the cognitive and workflow-related consequences of decisions like:
- Filtering out only their tasks
- Limiting the view of the whole board to only a small part
- etc.
We're working exclusively with clients in other countries. Physical boards are not an option for us. While engineers generally love the digital ones for all the convenience of linking stuff, storing additional information, marking dependencies, etc., I see it *also* as a limiting factor.
It's just so easy to lose sight of the big picture.
Now, I wish most people were as conscious as you are to notice the tradeoffs they're making by filtering boards, focusing on their own tasks only, etc. Unfortunately, they are not.
It's more of a coping mechanism. "There are 100+ items on the board. I won't even look at them. Just give me the 3 of them that are relevant for me, and I'll ignore the rest."
Visualization is not as simplistic as it looks at first glance.
A side note: I'd love to see an article on how working with large and messy digital boards affects our cognitive abilities.
Great point and post, although I'm now really distracted by the fact you can't find your coffee maker.
I suspect you'd be even more distracted / distraught if you knew I couldn't legally ship my bar cart / single malt to Canada. 😭