Managing Blocked Tasks Effectively

Blocked tasks are invisible productivity killers. A developer stuck waiting is still costing time while producing nothing. Effective blocker management means fast detection, clear communication, and rapid resolution through proper escalation.

Blocker Types

Detection and Flagging

Immediate Flagging

BLOCKER DETECTION AND FLAGGING
══════════════════════════════

WHEN TO FLAG:
─────────────────────────────────────
Flag immediately when:
├── Cannot proceed without X
├── Waiting on someone/something
├── Expected to wait > 2 hours
└── No workaround available

DON'T WAIT:
├── "Maybe they'll respond soon"
├── "I'll mention it at standup"
├── "I'll figure it out myself" (if you can't)
└── Visibility enables help

GITSCRUM BLOCKER WORKFLOW:
─────────────────────────────────────
1. Add "blocked" label to task
2. Add comment explaining blocker:
   
   🔴 BLOCKED: Need API credentials from vendor
   
   Details:
   ├── Contacted: vendor@example.com
   ├── Waiting since: Jan 15, 10am
   ├── Needed by: Jan 17
   └── Impact: Cannot proceed with integration
   
   @emma (PM) - can you escalate?

3. Move to "Blocked" column (if using)
4. Mention who can help
5. Check for alternative work

NOTIFICATION:
├── Team sees in standup
├── Blocker dashboard updated
├── Slack notification sent
└── PM alerted for escalation

Blocker Dashboard

BLOCKER VISIBILITY DASHBOARD
════════════════════════════

CURRENT BLOCKERS:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  Blocked Tasks (3)                                     │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                         │
│  🔴 GS-456: Payment Integration                        │
│     Blocked: 2 days                                    │
│     Reason: Waiting for vendor API credentials         │
│     Owner: Sarah                                        │
│     Resolver: Emma (following up with vendor)          │
│     ETA: Tomorrow                                       │
│                                                         │
│  🔴 GS-489: Database Migration                         │
│     Blocked: 4 hours                                   │
│     Reason: Need DBA approval for schema change        │
│     Owner: Mike                                        │
│     Resolver: Mike (meeting scheduled 2pm)             │
│     ETA: Today                                          │
│                                                         │
│  🔴 GS-501: Design Implementation                      │
│     Blocked: 1 day                                     │
│     Reason: Waiting for design assets                  │
│     Owner: Alex                                         │
│     Resolver: Jordan (design team)                      │
│     ETA: Today                                          │
│                                                         │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

VISIBLE TO:
├── Team (at standup)
├── PM (for escalation)
├── Manager (if prolonged)
└── Stakeholders (if sprint impacted)

Resolution Process

Escalation Path

BLOCKER ESCALATION LADDER
═════════════════════════

LEVEL 1: Self-resolve (0-2 hours)
─────────────────────────────────────
├── Direct contact with blocker owner
├── Slack message/mention
├── Document attempt
└── If no response → escalate

LEVEL 2: Team help (2-4 hours)
─────────────────────────────────────
├── Raise in standup
├── PM awareness
├── Alternative assignee?
└── If unresolved → escalate

LEVEL 3: PM escalation (4-8 hours)
─────────────────────────────────────
├── PM contacts blocker's manager
├── Priority negotiation
├── Deadline pressure
└── If unresolved → escalate

LEVEL 4: Manager escalation (8-24 hours)
─────────────────────────────────────
├── Engineering manager involved
├── Cross-team manager discussion
├── Resource reallocation
└── If unresolved → executive

LEVEL 5: Executive (24+ hours)
─────────────────────────────────────
├── Director/VP awareness
├── Business priority discussion
├── Organizational blocker
└── Usually not needed

TIMELINE IS GUIDELINE:
├── Adjust based on impact
├── Critical path → faster escalation
├── Low impact → more patience
└── Document all attempts

Resolution Documentation

DOCUMENTING BLOCKER RESOLUTION
══════════════════════════════

WHEN RESOLVED, UPDATE TASK:
─────────────────────────────────────
🟢 UNBLOCKED

Resolution:
├── Blocked duration: 2 days
├── Resolved by: Emma (escalated to vendor)
├── Solution: Received API credentials
├── Date: Jan 17, 2:30pm

Lessons learned:
├── Vendor SLA is 48 hours, not 24
├── Need to request earlier next time
├── Added to checklist for integrations

Work resumed: Jan 17, 3pm
─────────────────────────────────────

REMOVE LABEL:
├── Remove "blocked" label
├── Move from Blocked column
├── Resume work immediately
└── Update ETA if needed

Alternative Strategies

While Blocked

PRODUCTIVE WHILE BLOCKED
════════════════════════

DON'T JUST WAIT:
─────────────────────────────────────
When blocked on GS-456, consider:

1. WORK ON SOMETHING ELSE
   ├── Pull next priority task
   ├── Lower priority but ready
   └── Technical debt items

2. PARALLEL WORK
   ├── Write tests for unblocked parts
   ├── Documentation for completed work
   ├── Code review for teammates
   └── Prep work for blocked task

3. UNBLOCK OTHERS
   ├── Review their PRs
   ├── Answer their questions
   ├── Pair on their problems
   └── Pay it forward

4. LEARNING
   ├── Relevant training
   ├── Tech spike for upcoming work
   ├── Team knowledge base contribution
   └── Productive use of time

COMMUNICATE:
├── Update task status
├── Let team know what you're doing
├── Available when unblocked
└── Maintain visibility

Workarounds

WORKAROUND STRATEGIES
═════════════════════

MOCK THE DEPENDENCY:
─────────────────────────────────────
Blocked on: API from Team B

Workaround:
├── Create mock/stub of expected API
├── Code against interface
├── Test with mock
├── Swap when real API ready

Result:
├── Progress continues
├── Interface defined
├── Integration faster
└── Time not wasted

PARTIAL COMPLETION:
─────────────────────────────────────
Blocked on: Design for mobile

Workaround:
├── Complete desktop implementation
├── Prep mobile structure
├── Ship desktop first
├── Mobile as follow-up

Result:
├── Some value delivered
├── Reduced scope of block
├── Faster overall
└── Stakeholder happy (partial)

ESCALATE SCOPE CHANGE:
─────────────────────────────────────
Blocked on: Third-party system down

Workaround proposal:
├── Remove dependent feature from sprint
├── Deliver other committed items
├── Address in next sprint
├── Or: Cut scope, ship core

Requires: Stakeholder approval

Prevention

Proactive Dependency Management

PREVENTING BLOCKERS
═══════════════════

IN PLANNING:
─────────────────────────────────────
For each task, ask:
├── Dependencies on other tasks?
├── Dependencies on other teams?
├── Need approvals? From whom?
├── Need access/permissions?
├── Need external resources?
└── Prerequisites complete?

FLAG RISKS EARLY:
├── "This needs design first"
├── "This requires DevOps setup"
├── "This depends on vendor"
└── Track as dependency

PRE-WORK:
─────────────────────────────────────
Before starting task:
├── All prerequisites complete?
├── All inputs available?
├── All approvals obtained?
├── All access granted?
└── Ready to start = truly ready

DEFINITION OF READY:
├── Requirements clear
├── Dependencies resolved
├── Access available
├── Design approved
└── No known blockers

GitScrum Configuration

Blocked Task Workflow

GITSCRUM BLOCKED CONFIGURATION
══════════════════════════════

BOARD SETUP:
─────────────────────────────────────
Option A: Blocked column
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Ready │ In Progress │ Blocked │ Review │ Done         │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│       │             │ [456]   │        │              │
│       │             │ [489]   │        │              │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Option B: Blocked label (visual indicator)
[GS-456] 🔴 blocked

BOTH VALID, choose based on preference

AUTOMATION:
─────────────────────────────────────
Settings → Automation → When blocked:
├── Notify assigned PM
├── Post to #blockers Slack channel
├── Add to blocked report
├── Escalation reminder at 24 hours
└── Daily blocked summary

ALERTS:
├── Blocker > 4 hours → Slack team
├── Blocker > 24 hours → Escalate PM
├── Blocker > 48 hours → Escalate manager
└── Configurable per team

Best Practices

For Blocked Tasks

1. Flag immediately — Visibility enables help
2. Document clearly — What, why, who can help
3. Escalate timely — Don't wait too long
4. Work alternatives — Don't waste time waiting
5. Prevent in planning — Identify dependencies early

Anti-Patterns

BLOCKER HANDLING MISTAKES:
✗ Waiting silently
✗ "I'll mention it at standup" (too late)
✗ No documentation of blocker
✗ No escalation path
✗ Working on blocked task anyway
✗ Not following up on resolution
✗ Same blockers recurring
✗ No prevention in planning

Related Solutions

• Handling blocked tasks
• Managing task dependencies effectively
• Identifying bottlenecks in development workflow