Goal-question-Kanban: Applying Lean Concepts to Coordinate Multi-level Systems Engineering in Large Enterprises

There is good evidence from experience reports and other literature that the lean flow concepts of on-demand, value-based scheduling and limited work-in-progress are highly effective in many instances of software development. The question remains, however, if they are equally applicable to the systems and enterprise engineering found in large or complex system environments. This paper builds on previous conceptual work to describe specific applications of the concepts to support coordination of systems engineering activities within large-scale system acquisition, development and evolution. Using a surrogate environment derived from the complex interactions of IT, embedded systems, and human activities in a large multi- facility hospital system, we provide examples of how integrated kanban-like constructs can be created at each systems engineering level from an individual project through the complete capabilities portfolio.