Kanban Framework: #
Kanban is an Agile framework designed to help teams manage and improve their workflow and efficiency. It emphasizes visualizing work, limiting work in progress (WIP), and continuously optimizing the flow of tasks. Unlike other Agile frameworks, Kanban doesn’t prescribe specific roles or iterations, making it flexible and easy to integrate into existing processes.
Key Principles of Kanban #
1. Visualize the Workflow:
– Use a Kanban board to represent the workflow.
– Tasks are represented by cards that move through various stages (columns) on the board.
2. Limit Work in Progress (WIP):
– Set limits on the number of tasks that can be in each stage of the workflow.
– Helps to identify bottlenecks and focus on completing tasks before starting new ones.
3. Manage Flow:
– Monitor the movement of tasks through the workflow.
– Aim to achieve a smooth, consistent flow of work.
4. Make Process Policies Explicit:
– Clearly define and communicate the rules and processes for how work is done.
– Ensures everyone understands how the system operates.
5. Implement Feedback Loops:
– Regularly review and improve the process based on feedback.
– Use meetings like daily stand-ups and retrospectives to discuss improvements.
6. Improve Collaboratively, Evolve Experimentally:
– Encourage continuous improvement and experimentation.
– Make incremental changes to the process and evaluate their impact.
Components of a Kanban System #
1. Kanban Board:
– Visual representation of the workflow.
– Columns represent stages of the process (e.g., To Do, In Progress, Done).
2. Kanban Cards:
– Represent tasks or work items.
– Include details like task description, assignee, and due date.
3. WIP Limits:
– Constraints on the number of tasks that can be in a column simultaneously.
– Help to manage flow and avoid overloading the system.
Example of Kanban Framework in Action #
Scenario: A software development team is using Kanban to manage their tasks for developing a new feature in their application.
Participants:
– Team Members: Alice (Frontend Developer), Bob (Backend Developer), Carol (QA Engineer), Dave (Product Manager)
1. Visualize the Workflow
The team sets up a Kanban board with the following columns:
– Backlog: All tasks that need to be done.
– To Do: Tasks ready to be worked on.
– In Progress: Tasks currently being worked on.
– Code Review: Tasks waiting for code review.
– Testing: Tasks being tested.
– Done: Completed tasks.
2. Create and Move Kanban Cards
Backlog:
– User Authentication
– Product Search
– Shopping Cart
– Order Checkout
To Do:
– User Authentication
The team pulls “User Authentication” into the To Do column. Each task is represented by a Kanban card with details such as:
– Title: User Authentication
– Description: Implement login, logout, and registration functionality.
– Assignee: Bob
3. Set WIP Limits
The team sets WIP limits to ensure focus:
– In Progress: Maximum 2 tasks
– Code Review: Maximum 1 task
– Testing: Maximum 2 tasks
4. Manage Flow
As Bob starts working on “User Authentication,” he moves the card to In Progress.
– The WIP limit for In Progress is 2, so another task can be started in parallel if necessary.
Once Bob completes the development, he moves the card to Code Review.
– The WIP limit for Code Review is 1, so no other tasks can enter this stage until the review is completed.
Alice reviews the code and moves the card to Testing, where Carol tests the functionality.
– The WIP limit for Testing is 2, so multiple tasks can be tested simultaneously.
After testing, Carol moves the card to Done.
5. Implement Feedback Loops
The team holds regular stand-up meetings to discuss progress and any issues.
– Daily Stand-Up: Discuss what was done yesterday, what will be done today, and any blockers.
– Retrospective: Held every two weeks to review the process and identify improvements.
Summary of Kanban Workflow #
| Column | Description | WIP Limit |
| Backlog | All tasks that need to be done | N/A |
| To Do | Tasks ready to be worked on | N/A |
| In Progress | Tasks currently being worked on | 2 |
| Code Review | Tasks waiting for code review | 1 |
| Testing | Tasks being tested | 2 |
| Done | Completed tasks | N/A |
Benefits of Kanban #
1. Flexibility:
– Can be easily integrated into existing workflows.
– No need for fixed iterations or roles.
2. Improved Efficiency:
– Limits WIP to reduce multitasking and bottlenecks.
– Focuses on continuous delivery of tasks.
3. Enhanced Visibility:
– Visual representation of work helps identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies.
– Everyone can see the status of tasks and progress.
4. Continuous Improvement:
– Encourages regular feedback and iterative improvements.
– Allows teams to experiment with changes and measure their impact.
Conclusion #
The Kanban framework provides a flexible and visual approach to managing work and improving processes. By emphasizing visualizing work, limiting WIP, and continuously optimizing the flow, Kanban helps teams enhance efficiency and productivity. The example of a software development team illustrates how Kanban principles can be applied to streamline tasks and ensure smooth project progression.
