What is the best way for a team practicing Kanban to reduce lead-time for the customer?

Reducing work-in-progress (WIP) is the most effective strategy for a Kanban team aiming to lower lead-time for the customer. By limiting WIP, the team creates a more focused environment where each team member can dedicate their attention to completing tasks more efficiently. This focus helps to identify and address bottlenecks in the workflow, thereby streamlining the process.

When WIP is reduced, it allows for improved flow of the tasks through the system. Team members can concentrate on fewer tasks at a time, enhancing their productivity and resulting in quicker completion of work. In a Kanban system, faster cycle times contribute directly to decreased lead-times, ultimately benefiting the customer by delivering work more promptly.

This approach aligns with the core principles of Kanban, which emphasize smoothness and predictability in workflow, making it an effective method for better customer delivery times. Other methods, such as increasing WIP or extending lead-time, would likely lead to confusion, multitasking, and longer waits for customers.