What does actively managing queues emphasize?

• A. Controlling wait times by controlling queue lengths
• B. Increasing batch sizes
• C. Ignoring Little's Law
• D. Reducing collaboration

Answer: (A)

Actively managing queues is about shaping the flow of work by controlling how much work sits in each queue and how long items wait there. By keeping queue lengths in check, you prevent long wait times, surface bottlenecks sooner, and improve overall throughput and predictability. This is in line with Little’s Law, which shows that cycle time grows with more in-progress work; reducing queue lengths helps keep lead times manageable.

That’s why the option describing controlling wait times by controlling queue lengths is the best fit. Increasing batch sizes tends to create larger queues and slower feedback; ignoring Little’s Law would ignore the fundamental relationship between work in progress and flow; reducing collaboration runs counter to the collaborative, flow-focused mindset of finite queue management.