Kanban

What does it mean?

Kanban is a visual workflow management system designed to optimize efficiency and maximize project visibility. It utilizes a Kanban board, typically a physical whiteboard or a digital tool, with columns representing different stages of work progress (e.g., To Do, In Progress, Done). Tasks are represented by cards that move across the board as they progress through the workflow.

Simple Kanban board example

Benefits of Kanban:

  • Improved Workflow Visualization: Kanban boards provide a clear visual representation of the project's overall health, allowing teams to identify bottlenecks and optimize workflow.

  • Enhanced Task Prioritization: Kanban encourages teams to limit work in progress (WIP), ensuring focus on high-priority tasks and minimizing context switching.

  • Increased Collaboration & Transparency: The visual nature of Kanban boards fosters team communication and transparency, as everyone has a clear understanding of project progress and task ownership.

  • Flexibility & Adaptability: Kanban is highly adaptable to changing priorities and project needs. New tasks can be easily added, and workflows can be adjusted as required.

Example:

A customer service team might utilize a Kanban board to manage incoming customer inquiries. The board might have columns like "New Inquiries," "Under Investigation," and "Resolved." Each inquiry would be represented by a card, containing details and moving across the board as the team progresses towards resolution.

By visualizing the workload and focusing on completing existing tasks before taking on new ones, the Kanban system helps the customer service team work efficiently and prioritize effectively, resulting in faster response times and improved customer satisfaction.

Kanban vs Scrum:

While both Kanban and Scrum fall under the Agile project management umbrella, they have distinct differences. Kanban is a continuous flow system, adaptable to changing priorities. Scrum, on the other hand, utilizes fixed-length sprints (iterations) with defined goals and deliverables.

Tools you could use to create a Kanban board in: