Toss manual project boards and complete 28 projects in 9 months

A medical device company had been using manual project boards for several years with great success. However, due to the recent launch of a major new platform, their backlog of sustaining projects suddenly swelled to twenty-eight. Based on prior experience, they estimated it would take 18 months to complete all of them with their already strapped resources...

"I like how quickly we can see the impact of a delay on a small task. Now we can see when a task has an impact on the schedule."

                                                                                      –Team Member 

So they swapped the manual boards with Playbook and were able to complete all 28 projects in 9 months—half the expected time. When asked to explain the results, they listed these as the top benefits of Playbook.

• Can easily visualize interdependencies
• Everyone sees the big picture
• Critical chain management is improved
• Better detail planning than using sticky notes
• Can more easily see who is loaded with tasks
• Much better tool for managing resources
• Daily Meetings are more efficient
• Task Owners and Team Members have more buy-in and ownership
• Improved visibility of things that slip through the cracks
• Better communication
• Reduced multi-tasking

“The stickies were horrible, because you couldn't see the big picture. The top-level planning of tasks is good for everyone to see so people can understand what it is going to take to get it done. Yes, things change.”
                                                                                      –Task Leader 

“Playbook is better because the ‘I am waiting for you’ or ‘I need something from you’ is in the system rather than in the stand-ups.”
                                                                                      –Task Leader 

All new staff are introduced to Playbook as part of their orientation. Lean product development is now part of their culture.