Pull System

Definition of Pull System

A Pull System is a method where work is pulled only when there’s capacity, avoiding overburdening.

Pronunciation Spelling

PULL SIS-tem

Example Sentence

The team switched to a pull system to optimize their workflow.

Significance

Agile practitioners should grasp “pull systems” as they focus on work management based on actual team capacity. Unlike push systems, where leadership or stakeholders push work into the system without considering team capability, pull systems only initiate new work when there’s available capacity. This approach helps maintain a consistent workflow, reduces unnecessary inventory or work in progress (WIP), and emphasizes the importance of quality in completing tasks. By enabling teams to regulate their workload based on capacity, pull systems contribute to more efficient and effective value delivery.

Additional Resources

• The (True) Difference Between Push and Pull
• Kanban Pull System: Implementing and Managing an Efficient Workflow
• How to Implement a Pull System on the Portfolio Level?
• Kanban Guide
• The Kanban Guide for Scrum Teams
• Practical Kanban: From Team Focus to Creating Value
• Applying Scrum with Kanban: A Pointless Book!
• Kanban: Successful Evolutionary Change for Your Technology Business
• Agile Manifesto