The Magic of Small Batches
Why reducing your batch size is the single most effective way to accelerate delivery.
Key Takeaways
- Small batches shorten feedback loops.
- Large batches hide risk and delay.
- Batch size 1 is the goal for maximum flow.
The Large Batch Fallacy
We often think that doing tasks in big groups (batches) is more efficient because we save time on setup and handoffs. But in knowledge work, large batches are the silent killer of agility. They hide bugs, delay feedback, and create massive 'Lead Time' bottlenecks.The Physics of Small Batches
When you work in a batch of 20, the first item has to wait for 19 others before it can move to the next stage. When you work in a batch of 1, items move immediately. This isn't just a preference; it's a mathematical certainty.The Lead Time Law:
Lead Time = (Batch Size * Active Time) + Queue Time (Reducing your batch size by 50% often reduces your lead time by more than 50% because it simultaneously shrinks the queue.)📹 Video Resource: Small Batches & Flow: Which Company Delivers First?
The Feedback Loop
Small batches allow you to fail fast. If you discover a mistake in a batch of 1, you've wasted 1 item. If you discover it in a batch of 100, you've wasted a month of work. Large batches represent 'Risk'—the more work you have in progress, the more you have at stake if things change.The Batch Size Transition
Moving from large to small batches requires a change in culture. It means valuing 'Flow' over 'Busy-ness'. It's the difference between a relay race where everyone is running vs. a relay race where the *baton* is moving.Small batches make the world go round. They are the fundamental unit of Lean and Agile delivery.
— The Batch Size Mantra