Dumpster Fires Everywhere
How do you fight invisible fires in invisible work?
This summary is based on a recent video talk with the team at the GOTO Book Club, where we discussed the challenges of modern software development and how Flow Engineering can help organizations address them. The complexity of today’s software organizations has increased significantly, with teams distributed globally and involving a mix of suppliers, contractors, and full-time employees. The journey from an initial idea to delivering customer value now consists of complicated networks of activities, making it essential to find ways to bring clarity and focus to work. Value stream mapping is a powerful tool for this, but many teams find it difficult to know where to start, what to map, who to involve, and how much detail to include. The process can seem overwhelming, especially when time is limited and the practice feels specialized.
There is often a disconnect between different roles and levels within organizations. Individual contributors may focus on immediate technical challenges, while those in higher-level positions are concerned with timelines, deliverables, and costs. These varying perspectives can create gaps in understanding, making it difficult to maintain a unified view of organizational goals and workflows. In knowledge work, unlike manufacturing, so much of the work is invisible, which makes identifying bottlenecks or inefficiencies even more challenging. We can feel issues, but we can’t often describe them, or know which one is the most impactful. People working side by side may have entirely different views of what is important, leading to further misalignment.
Flow Engineering was developed to address these issues by providing a structured, approachable way to visualize and discuss work. The aim is to create a simple, shared mental model that everyone can understand, regardless of their role. This model helps teams see the full process from idea to delivery, identify where problems arise, and determine what actions to take. The approach recognizes that most organizations are constantly dealing with problems and competing priorities, and that few have the time to analyze their processes in depth.
Feedback from practitioners highlights that while value stream mapping is valuable, it is often time-consuming and exhausting, and teams struggle to act on the insights they gain. Flow Engineering addresses this by offering a minimal, approachable set of activities designed for teams that are already stretched thin. It is intended to provide leverage in environments where everyone is busy and under pressure, making it possible to fit process improvement into the existing workflow.
The framework expands on traditional value stream mapping by introducing a sequence of five visual maps. This structure is designed to make the process less intimidating and more actionable, especially in fast-paced digital environments. The maps help teams step back, see the broader context, and focus on the most important issues without requiring a significant time investment or specialized tools.
Flow Engineering connects directly to common workplace challenges. For teams overwhelmed by constant problems, it provides a way to see patterns and address root causes rather than just reacting. For organizations struggling with misalignment, the mapping process creates a unified view that brings together different roles and perspectives. The framework is intentionally minimal to fit into the reality of frequent meetings and ongoing demands, and it guides teams from mapping to action so that improvements are implemented, not just discussed.
It is not necessary to overhaul an entire organization to see benefits from Flow Engineering. Even small steps toward making work visible can reduce confusion, build alignment, and free up time for higher-value activities. The approach is designed to help organizations move from constant firefighting to a more proactive, continuous improvement mindset, making it possible to achieve better outcomes even in complex, high-pressure environments.
Are you feeling friction you can’t effectively see, share, and measure?
What’s stopping you from taking action to address it?
Don’t forget to use your education and improvement budgets wisely! The Flow Engineering Immersion course is a perfect way to make the most of a privilege we often take for granted. Sign your team up today, and start speaking the language of flow together