In this post, we will explore the differences between push and pull approaches in task assignment, the advantages and disadvantages of each approach, and when each approach is most appropriate.
In the push model, an authority figure such as a team lead or manager assigns tasks to individual team members. On the other hand, the pull model is more decentralized and empowers individual team members to take on tasks based on priorities, skills and their own interests.
Push Model
In traditional software development methodologies, it is more common to use the push approach to task assignment where tasks are assigned to each team member. This approach is often hierarchical in nature, with a clear chain of command and centralized decision-making.
There are several scenarios in which a task may be assigned, including situations that require specialization, experience, or when it is related to other tasks.
This model has several negative impacts on team dynamics:
- Team members often tend to focus on their individual assignments over the shared goals of the team. When individuals focus solely on their own work, they may fail to see the bigger picture and miss opportunities for collaboration and collective problem-solving because of communication barriers.
- Team members may become disinterested and demotivated due to the absence of ownership and autonomy. When team members feel they have little control over the project's direction and outcomes, they may feel undervalued and unengaged. This can lead to a decrease in productivity and lower quality work.
- Someone needs to track and optimize each team member's individual queue of work. This is needed to maintain a well balanced distribution of tasks and an appropriate workload.
- Teams may face difficulties when trying to adapt to changing priorities, especially when new tasks with higher priorities are added to the existing workload. When team members are already focused on their assigned tasks and have a queue of work ahead of them, it can be difficult to shift their attention and resources towards the new high-priority tasks.
Pull Model
This model is often used in agile methodologies to promote flexibility and collaboration among team members where they proactively select high-priority tasks from the to-do list or backlog. Following this approach, the focus is on working and completing high priority work rather than keeping team members constantly occupied.
This approach has the following benefits:
- Encouraging self-organizing teams can help optimize task management and allocation. Instead of assigning tasks to individuals, the team collaboratively manages the backlog. This approach not only ensures that tasks are distributed fairly but also creates a culture of open communication and collaboration within the team.
- Team members work on new tasks when they have capacity while ensuring that the existing work is completed. This approach allows team members to be more flexible and responsive to changes in the project scope or priorities. If a new high-priority task arises, team members who have capacity can quickly shift their focus to the new task.
- Each team member manages and takes responsibility for their tasks, including updating task status and relevant information as needed. This promotes a sense of autonomy and responsibility within the team which can lead to greater engagement and job satisfaction.
- The team lead and team members are focused on high value tasks instead of wasting efforts on assigning and monitoring tasks.
While both push and pull models for task assignment have their advantages and disadvantages, the pull model is generally considered the default approach particularly in agile methodologies because it aligns with agile principles. For example, Kanban has one essential principle called Pull System which emphasizes the importance of pulling work from a prioritized backlog based on capacity. However this is not enough without limiting the work in progress (WIP). By limiting the number of tasks in progress, teams can focus on completing high-priority tasks, avoid multitasking and detect bottlenecks.
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