LEAN AGILITY Blog

Practical methods and leadership strategies for government and public sector leaders working to reduce waste, clear backlogs, and build stronger teams.

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Backlogs

Black-and-white retro-style photograph of a Department of Motor Vehicles office. Seven employees stand in a line packed inside an oversized glass bottle, passing paperwork hand to hand toward the narrow neck, where a bored, heavyset older clerk sits at a desk labeled 'Document Review & Approval,' resting his chin on his hand while holding a rubber stamp. A wall sign reads 'All documents subject to review, verification and rubber stamp. Please be patient. Your paperwork matters,' a clock hangs on the wall, and a small desk sign reads 'NEXT!' A caption across the bottom reads: 'Are you opening up the bottleneck step?'

2 min read

AI at the Bottleneck vs. AI Everywhere Else

Ken Eakin: September 22, 2026

Imagine you’ve been charged with improving the performance of a sluggish granting process that has been backlogged for years. Clients have been...

AI & Automation AI Strategy & Investment Backlogs Capacity & Demand Practical AI
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A man in a shirt and tie stands resigned in a vintage 1970s government office, ankle-deep in an inflatable pool overflowing with papers and files. A pipe above the pool with a sign reading 'New Requests' pours in a steady stream of water, while a 'Capacity' label sits on the pool's side, surrounded by filing cabinets, a rotary phone, and stacks of paperwork..

1 min read

How Backlogs Are Born and How to Make Sure They Never Come Back

Craig Szelestowski: February 12, 2026

The backlog is the great shame of the public service. It fills staff with dread, leaders with pressure and clients with frustration. Every team that...

Lean White Belt Lean Yellow Belt Lean Green Belt Productivity Backlogs Capacity & Demand
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