Kanban is an Agile project management and workflow visualization method that helps teams manage and improve their work processes. It originated from manufacturing processes, specifically from the Toyota Production System (TPS), and has been adapted for various knowledge work domains, including software development, marketing, and customer support.
Here’s an overview of Kanban:
- Visual Boards: Kanban uses visual boards or Kanban boards to represent the workflow. These boards consist of columns representing different stages of work, and each column contains cards or tasks representing work items.
- Work in Progress (WIP) Limits: One of the key principles of Kanban is limiting the amount of work that can be in progress at any given time. This helps prevent overloading the team and ensures that work is completed before new tasks are started.
- Pull System: Kanban operates on a pull system, where work items are pulled into the next stage of the workflow when there is capacity to work on them. This contrasts with push systems, where work is pushed onto team members without regard to their capacity.
- Continuous Flow: Kanban aims to achieve a continuous flow of work, with a focus on reducing bottlenecks and improving efficiency. Teams monitor the flow of work items through the Kanban board and make adjustments as needed.
- Visual Metrics: Kanban boards often include visual metrics such as lead time (the time it takes for a work item to move from start to finish), cycle time (the time it takes to complete a work item once it’s actively being worked on), and cumulative flow diagrams to help teams understand their performance.
- Flexibility: Kanban is highly adaptable and can be applied to a wide range of processes and industries. Teams can start with their existing process and gradually introduce Kanban principles to improve it.
- Continuous Improvement: Similar to other Agile methodologies, Kanban promotes a culture of continuous improvement. Teams regularly review their processes and make adjustments to optimize efficiency and quality.
Kanban is particularly useful for teams with variable workloads and frequent changes in priorities. It provides transparency into work processes, helps identify and address bottlenecks, and allows teams to make data-driven decisions for process improvements. Kanban is often used in conjunction with Lean principles to minimize waste and increase overall productivity.
