What is a blockage?

In frameworks like Scrum and Kanban, a 'blockage' refers to any obstacle that completely stops the delivery of a product, preventing the team's progress.

It is crucial to distinguish between 'impediment', which slows down progress, and 'blockage', which completely stops delivery. Quick identification and resolution of blockages are essential to maintain workflow and product delivery.

Agile teams must address and resolve 'blockages' quickly to ensure a continuous workflow and effective product delivery. This requires constant communication and proactive actions to identify, escalate, and eliminate these obstacles.

In Scrum, the Scrum Master plays a key role in facilitating the resolution of 'blockages', working to ensure that the team can continue their work without interruptions.

In Kanban, 'blockages' are visualized on the board to indicate where work has stopped. This visibility helps to quickly identify and address obstacles.

Red post-its are often used to represent 'blockages' on a board, providing clear visibility of urgent issues that need resolution.