Using Kanban in HR - Part 3 of 3
In which we look at risks and challenges, and explore training resources.
TL;DR Summary
This article explores the risks and challenges of using Kanban in HR projects, including privacy concerns, lack of clear priorities, overemphasis on efficiency, and difficulty managing dependencies. To mitigate these risks, it's important to use Kanban in conjunction with other project management approaches. The previous parts of the article also provide an introduction to Kanban from the HR perspective (Part 1) and its application to HR (Part 2).
What are the risk & challenges to be aware of when using Kanban
There are some limitations to using Kanban for HR projects.
Privacy: One potential issue is that HR projects often involve sensitive information, such as employee performance evaluations or disciplinary actions. In these cases, it may not be appropriate to use a visual board that is visible to all team members.
Lack of clear priorities: Kanban focuses on visualizing and managing work in progress, but it doesn't always provide a clear sense of priorities. In HR projects, this could lead to important tasks being deprioritized in favor of smaller, easier-to-complete tasks.
Overemphasis on efficiency: Because Kanban is focused on visualizing and managing work in progress, there can be a tendency to prioritize efficiency over quality or other important considerations. This can be particularly problematic in HR projects where the quality of work and attention to detail are critical.
Limited capacity for planning: Kanban is designed to be flexible and adaptable, which can be an advantage in some contexts. However, this can make it difficult to plan and allocate resources for HR projects that have strict deadlines or require specific skill sets.
Limited flexibility for unexpected changes: Kanban is designed to prioritize work in progress, but it can be difficult to accommodate unexpected changes or urgent tasks that must be addressed immediately. In HR projects, this could lead to delays or disruptions if urgent matters are not given the appropriate attention.
Overemphasis on individual tasks: Kanban is often focused on individual tasks rather than overall project goals. This can make it difficult to ensure that everyone on the project is aligned and working towards the same objectives.
Lack of cross-team communication and collaboration: Kanban is often used for individual or small team projects, which can limit communication and collaboration between different departments or stakeholders involved in HR projects.
Difficulty managing dependencies: Kanban can be challenging to use in projects that have complex dependencies or require coordination across multiple teams or departments. This can make it difficult to ensure that work is completed in the correct order and that everyone is working towards the same objectives.
Difficulty tracking progress in complex workflows: While Kanban is designed to visualize workflow, it can be challenging to track progress on HR projects that involve multiple stakeholders and dependencies. This can make it difficult to identify bottlenecks or areas where additional support is needed.
Resistance to change: Kanban can be a significant change in the way that work is managed, and it can be difficult to get team members to adopt the new methodology. Additionally, HR teams may be resistant to change due to the sensitive nature of their work and the potential for disruption.
To mitigate these risks, it's important to use Kanban in conjunction with other project management approaches, such as goal setting, capacity planning, and regular communication and collaboration among all stakeholders.
How to keep learning about Kanban
There are plenty of resources available online to learn more about Kanban and its application to HR. Choices go from articles and short videos to a myriad of free and paid tutorials, courses, and certifications:
https://kanbanize.com/kanban-resources/kanban-tutorial/beginners
https://www.coursera.org/search?query=kanban
https://www.udemy.com/courses/search/?src=ukw&q=kanban
https://www.pluralsight.com/browse/business-professional/kanban
https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/advanced-agile-with-scrum-and-kanban
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