Impediments & Blockers in Agile

In Agile development, the terms "impediments" and "blockers" are often used to describe issues or obstacles that can hinder progress. While these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they can have subtle differences in their meanings within the Agile context:

Impediments:

1️⃣ Definition: Impediments are anything that slows down or obstructs the progress of a team but might not necessarily bring the work to a complete halt.

2️⃣ Nature: Impediments can range from minor inconveniences to more significant obstacles. They are typically issues that the team can work around or find alternative solutions for.

3️⃣ Resolution: Teams are expected to address impediments and find ways to mitigate their impact. They may escalate these issues to higher levels if they cannot resolve them on their own.

Blockers:

1️⃣ Definition: Blockers are more severe than impediments. They refer to issues or obstacles that bring the progress of work to a complete stop.

2️⃣ Nature: Blockers are critical and often urgent issues that prevent the team from moving forward. They require immediate attention to resume progress.

3️⃣ Resolution: Blockers are usually escalated immediately to the appropriate level of management or stakeholders for resolution. Resolving blockers is a top priority to ensure the team can continue with their work.

In summary, while both impediments and blockers represent obstacles in
Agile development, the distinction lies in the severity and impact on progress.

🅰 Impediments are seen as obstacles that slow down the team but don't necessarily stop them entirely, and teams are expected to address them.

🅱 Blockers, on the other hand, are critical issues that require immediate attention and may need to be escalated for swift resolution.