{
  "schema": "vedokrok.public-item.v1",
  "release_id": "MHC-RPUB-20261011-9e4b62c5",
  "url": "/knowledge/which-unfinished-item-is-getting-older-without-moving",
  "id": "MHC-D-RESEARCH-0170",
  "version": "0.1.0",
  "title": "Which unfinished item is getting older without moving?",
  "summary": "The work that never finishes cannot improve your completion statistics.",
  "kind": "question",
  "body": "Completed-work averages describe items that finished. Inspect the age of started, unfinished items as well, including time spent waiting.",
  "limits": [
    "Age alone does not determine priority or blame. Consider dependencies, risk and the kind of work before escalating."
  ],
  "topics": [],
  "intents": [],
  "source_ids": [
    "kanban-guide-2025"
  ],
  "evidence": [
    {
      "claim": "The Kanban Guide defines started-but-unfinished work, item age and a probabilistic service-level expectation against explicit workflow boundaries.",
      "source_id": "kanban-guide-2025",
      "role": "supports",
      "note": "Claim basis: technical_definition. Claim limit: Counts and forecasts need a stable meaning of work item and start/finish; they are not automatic performance targets.\nSource access: selected_html_passages; accessed on: 2026-09-17; inspected sections: [\"Definition of Workflow; active management; flow metrics\"].\nSource note: Only short original explanations and new examples are used. The page contains differing CC BY-SA and CC BY notices; commercial publication must resolve applicable rights rather than assume unrestricted copying.\nAgent scope review, 2026-10-11: May 2025 Kanban Guide flow metrics define started unfinished work and its age. This is a descriptive review measure, not a universal escalation threshold or worker-performance score.",
      "locator": "Definition of Workflow; Flow Metrics"
    }
  ],
  "use_when": [
    "Completed-work averages look healthy while a few important items remain stuck."
  ],
  "avoid_when": [
    "Age alone does not determine priority or blame. Consider dependencies, risk and the kind of work before escalating."
  ],
  "question": "How long has each unfinished item been in the workflow, including waiting, since our agreed start point?\n\nWhat is preventing the aging item from reaching the next useful state, and who can address it?",
  "example": "Many easy requests close quickly while one approval waits for weeks. Looking at active age exposes what the completed average omits.",
  "check": "Did the review lead to action on stalled work rather than simply another status colour?",
  "published_at": "2026-10-11T18:15:00Z",
  "review": {
    "kind": "agent",
    "label": "Agent editorial and scoped evidence review",
    "reviewed_at": "2026-10-11T18:12:50Z"
  },
  "editorial_overlay": null,
  "editorial": null,
  "notices": [],
  "sources": [
    {
      "id": "kanban-guide-2025",
      "title": "The Kanban Guide, May 2025",
      "url": "https://kanbanguides.org/the-kanban-guide/2025.5/"
    }
  ],
  "relations": [],
  "collections": [
    {
      "id": "RC-RESEARCH-WORK-FLOW",
      "title": "Help work finish instead of merely keeping it busy",
      "url": "/collections/help-work-finish-instead-of-merely-keeping-it-busy"
    }
  ],
  "topic_hubs": [],
  "solution_packs": []
}