HKSM

Work or steps that use time, effort, or resources but produce no value for the customer or product.

Key Points

• Waste is anything that does not contribute to customer or product value.
• Common forms include waiting, rework/defects, unnecessary features, excessive handoffs, and context switching.
• Reducing waste improves flow, shortens cycle time, and increases throughput and quality.
• Use value stream mapping, WIP limits, retrospectives, and root cause analysis to expose and remove waste.

Example

A Scrum team spends hours each sprint producing a long status report that no stakeholder reads. The report consumes team time without improving outcomes, so it is waste. Replacing it with a brief, automated dashboard recovers time and still informs stakeholders.

PMP Example Question

Which activity best represents waste in an agile project?

1. Pair programming to improve code quality
2. Maintaining extensive status reports that no stakeholder reads
3. Automating regression tests to speed feedback
4. Refining acceptance criteria with the product owner

Correct Answer: B — work that consumes resources without adding value

Explanation: Producing detailed reports no one uses takes time and effort but does not create customer or product value, so it is waste.