Werkroutes

Werkroutes are a concept within project management and agile methodologies, particularly popular in software development and other knowledge work environments. The term is a Dutch loanword that translates to "work routes" or "workflow paths." Essentially, a werkroute describes the sequence of steps or stages a piece of work, such as a task, feature, or bug fix, will typically follow from its inception to its completion.

These routes are often visualized, commonly using Kanban boards or similar visual management tools. Each stage in the werkroute is represented by a column or swimlane on the board, and work items move from left to right as they progress through the defined stages. Common stages might include "To Do," "In Progress," "Testing," and "Done." The specific stages and their order are defined by the team based on their specific processes and the nature of the work.

The primary purpose of establishing werkroutes is to bring clarity and predictability to the workflow. By clearly defining the path work should take, teams can identify bottlenecks, track progress more effectively, and improve the overall flow of value delivery. It also helps in managing work in progress (WIP) by setting limits on how many items can be in a particular stage at any given time. This helps prevent overburdening team members and encourages focus on completing existing tasks before starting new ones. Werkroutes are dynamic and can be adapted as teams learn and refine their processes over time.