Kanban Principles and Practices
Kanban is a visual system for managing work as it moves through a process. It's a popular agile methodology that helps teams improve their workflow, reduce bottlenecks, and increase efficiency. Unlike Scrum, Kanban doesn't prescribe fixed iterations or roles, making it highly adaptable.
Core Kanban Principles
Start with what you do now.
Kanban encourages teams to begin by visualizing their current workflow without making immediate, drastic changes. This respects existing processes and roles, fostering buy-in.
The first principle of Kanban is to 'Start with what you do now.' This means you don't need to overhaul your entire system overnight. Identify your current process, map it out, and begin making incremental improvements from that baseline. This approach minimizes disruption and resistance to change.
Agree to pursue incremental, evolutionary change.
Kanban promotes gradual improvements rather than radical overhauls. This allows teams to adapt and learn as they go, reducing risk and building confidence.
The second principle emphasizes 'Agree to pursue incremental, evolutionary change.' Instead of aiming for massive, disruptive transformations, Kanban advocates for small, continuous improvements. This approach allows teams to adapt to feedback, learn from experience, and build momentum without overwhelming the system.
Respect the current process, roles, responsibilities, and titles.
Kanban values the existing structure of a team or organization. It seeks to improve upon what's already in place rather than imposing a new structure.
The third principle is to 'Respect the current process, roles, responsibilities, and titles.' This principle is crucial for fostering a collaborative environment. Kanban doesn't dictate specific roles like 'Scrum Master' or 'Product Owner.' Instead, it encourages teams to identify and leverage their existing strengths and structures, making changes from within.
Encourage acts of leadership at all levels.
Kanban empowers everyone on the team to contribute to improvements, regardless of their formal position. This fosters a culture of shared ownership and continuous learning.
The fourth principle, 'Encourage acts of leadership at all levels,' promotes a culture where everyone feels empowered to identify problems and propose solutions. Leadership isn't confined to management; it's about taking initiative to improve the system, whether it's suggesting a change to the Kanban board or identifying a bottleneck.
Key Kanban Practices
To implement Kanban effectively, teams typically adopt several key practices:
1. Visualize the Workflow
This is the most recognizable aspect of Kanban. A Kanban board is used to visualize the flow of work, typically divided into columns representing different stages of the process (e.g., To Do, In Progress, Done). Work items are represented by cards that move across the board.
2. Limit Work in Progress (WIP)
WIP limits are crucial for preventing bottlenecks and improving flow. By setting a maximum number of work items allowed in each stage (or across the system), teams are encouraged to finish tasks before starting new ones. This promotes focus and reduces context switching.
A Kanban board visually represents the workflow, with columns for different stages and cards for individual work items. WIP limits are often indicated by numbers above each column, signifying the maximum number of cards allowed in that stage. This visual cue helps the team manage flow and identify bottlenecks.
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3. Manage Flow
The goal is to achieve a smooth, predictable flow of work. Teams monitor the movement of cards across the board, identify bottlenecks (stages where cards accumulate), and take action to resolve them. Metrics like lead time and cycle time are used to measure and improve flow.
4. Make Policies Explicit
Clear, documented policies define how the workflow operates. This includes rules for moving cards, definitions of 'done' for each stage, and how WIP limits are enforced. Explicit policies ensure everyone understands the rules and promotes consistency.
5. Implement Feedback Loops
Regular meetings or cadences are used to review the workflow, discuss issues, and plan improvements. These feedback loops, such as daily stand-ups or review meetings, help the team stay aligned and continuously adapt.
6. Improve Collaboratively, Evolve Experimentally
Kanban fosters a culture of continuous improvement driven by the team. By observing the system, identifying opportunities, and experimenting with changes, teams can collectively evolve their processes to become more efficient and effective.
To prevent bottlenecks, improve flow, and encourage finishing tasks before starting new ones.
Kanban is not a rigid framework but a set of principles and practices that can be adapted to fit any workflow.
Learning Resources
An excellent overview of Kanban, its principles, and how to implement it, with practical examples.
A detailed explanation of the core principles and practices of Kanban, offering insights into its application.
Provides a foundational understanding of the Kanban Method, its history, and its core tenets from a leading authority.
A concise article from PMI explaining the essence of Kanban and its benefits in project management.
A visual and auditory explanation of Kanban, covering its principles and how to use a Kanban board effectively.
Focuses on the 'Manage Flow' principle of Kanban, explaining how to optimize the movement of work through a system.
A practical guide to understanding Kanban, including how to set up a Kanban board and implement its practices.
A deep dive into the four foundational principles of Kanban, explaining their significance and application.
Details the six core practices of Kanban, providing actionable advice for implementation.
A comprehensive overview of Kanban, its origins in manufacturing, and its adaptation to software development and other fields.