{"id":6304,"date":"2024-08-08T09:00:52","date_gmt":"2024-08-08T07:00:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getnave.com\/blog\/?p=6304"},"modified":"2024-08-07T18:23:50","modified_gmt":"2024-08-07T16:23:50","slug":"why-blockers-can-not-be-overlooked","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getnave.com\/blog\/why-blockers-can-not-be-overlooked\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Blockers Can\u2019t Be Overlooked (+How to Manage Them Effectively!)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Today, let\u2019s take a step back to basics and talk about blockers: what they are, why it\u2019s crucial to keep your finger on the pulse of blocked work, and what opportunities come with handling them head-on.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s be real… blockers often don\u2019t get the attention they deserve, but by the end of this article, I hope to spark some ideas on how to move from feeling stuck when facing blockers to feeling empowered to manage them effectively.<\/p>\n

Discovering the True Impact of Blockers<\/h2>\n

So, why are blockers such a big deal? Blockers are any impediments or obstacles that prevent a work item from moving forward in your process.<\/p>\n

Unclear requirements, lack of expertise, third-party dependencies, or waiting for customer feedback are just a few reasons that cause blockers. Despite your team having the capacity to handle the work, these issues bring progress to a halt.<\/p>\n

Think about it: there\u2019s a high chance that blocked work is one of the top reasons you\u2019re experiencing delays.<\/p>\n

Yet, the biggest issue we face is our own mindset.<\/strong><\/p>\n

We often act like there\u2019s nothing we can do about blockers. We let them sit there, out of our control, sometimes even giving them a dedicated column as if blocking work is just a standard step in our delivery process.<\/p>\n

This mindset is all wrong.<\/p>\n

We shouldn\u2019t see blocked work as something beyond our control.<\/p>\n

Instead, we need to bring awareness and hold our teams to the same standard.<\/p>\n

You want your teams to develop a sense of intolerance for work that\u2019s just sitting there.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This feeling should become second nature for everyone. Imagine a team where everyone is actively working to resolve the problems that slow them down. That\u2019s the kind of proactive culture we\u2019re aiming for.<\/p>\n

How to Cultivate a Proactive Team Culture<\/h2>\n

So, how do we foster this culture of intolerance for idle work?<\/p>\n

It starts with visibility.<\/p>\n

Encourage your team to bring up blockers during daily standups every single day and brainstorm ways to overcome them. Make it clear to them that blockers are not just roadblocks, they are opportunities for improvement.<\/p>\n

This can be as simple as asking the right questions during meetings:<\/p>\n