PK0-005 Tools and Documentation Practice Question
A project manager is using a Kanban board to manage workflow. The team wants to limit the amount of work in progress (WIP) to improve flow and reduce bottlenecks. Which metric should the project manager monitor to assess the effectiveness of the WIP limit?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is selecting lead time or throughput, which are related but not the primary indicators of WIP limit effectiveness; cycle time is the metric that directly measures flow within the active workflow.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Cycle time
Cycle time is the correct metric because it directly reflects how quickly work items move through the Kanban system. When WIP limits are effective, cycle time should decrease as bottlenecks are reduced and flow improves. Monitoring cycle time allows the project manager to validate the WIP limit and make data-driven adjustments to optimize the team's workflow.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Velocity
Why it's wrong here
Velocity is an agile metric that measures the amount of work completed in a sprint, typically used in Scrum. Kanban does not use fixed iterations, so velocity is not applicable. The project manager should instead focus on flow metrics like cycle time to evaluate the impact of WIP limits on the team's workflow.
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Throughput
Why it's wrong here
Throughput is the number of work items completed per unit of time. While WIP limits can influence throughput, it is an output measure and does not directly indicate whether the WIP limit is reducing bottlenecks. Cycle time is more sensitive to changes in WIP and provides immediate feedback on flow improvements.
- ✓
Cycle time
Why this is correct
Cycle time measures the time it takes for a work item to move through the workflow from start to finish. By limiting WIP, the team aims to reduce cycle time and improve flow. Monitoring cycle time helps the project manager assess whether the WIP limit is effectively reducing delays and bottlenecks, leading to faster delivery.
- ✗
Lead time
Why it's wrong here
Lead time is the total time from when a request is made until it is delivered, including waiting time before work starts. While related, it is not the primary metric for assessing WIP limit effectiveness. Cycle time focuses specifically on the active work process, making it a more direct measure of flow efficiency within the Kanban system.
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Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
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