Kanban

Definition

Kanban is a visual management method that helps teams manage their work by visualizing tasks and workflows. It promotes efficiency by allowing teams to see their work in progress, limit work in progress (WIP), and optimize the flow of tasks from start to finish. This method is particularly useful in Agile environments where flexibility and responsiveness to change are crucial.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Kanban originated from the Toyota Production System as a way to improve manufacturing efficiency and has since been adapted for various industries, including software development.
2. A key principle of kanban is to visualize the workflow using boards that categorize tasks, making it easier for teams to identify bottlenecks and manage their workload.
3. Limiting work in progress (WIP) helps teams focus on completing tasks before taking on new ones, which improves overall productivity and reduces lead time.
4. Kanban encourages continuous improvement by regularly reviewing processes and workflows, enabling teams to adapt and evolve their practices over time.
5. Unlike Scrum, kanban does not require fixed iterations or roles, allowing teams to implement it in a more flexible manner tailored to their specific needs.

Review Questions

• How does kanban help teams improve their workflow and efficiency?
  • Kanban helps teams improve workflow and efficiency by visualizing tasks and limiting work in progress. This visual representation allows team members to see what is currently being worked on, identify bottlenecks, and prioritize tasks more effectively. By focusing on completing tasks before taking on new ones, teams can enhance their productivity and ensure a smoother flow of work from start to finish.
• Compare kanban with Scrum in terms of their approach to task management and team collaboration.
  • Kanban and Scrum both aim to improve task management and team collaboration but do so in different ways. Scrum uses fixed-length iterations called sprints, where teams commit to completing a set of tasks within that time frame. In contrast, kanban is more flexible, allowing teams to manage their work continuously without strict deadlines. While Scrum emphasizes roles and ceremonies, kanban focuses on visual management and optimizing workflow, making it adaptable for various project needs.
• Evaluate the impact of implementing kanban on a team's ability to respond to changes in project requirements.
  • Implementing kanban significantly enhances a team's ability to respond to changes in project requirements due to its flexible nature. By visualizing workflows and limiting work in progress, teams can quickly adjust priorities as new information arises or as client needs change. This adaptability allows for continuous flow of work rather than being bound by fixed iterations, thus fostering an environment where feedback can be rapidly integrated into ongoing processes. As a result, teams can maintain productivity while being responsive to shifting demands.

Related terms

Scrum: A framework within Agile that uses fixed-length iterations called sprints to complete tasks and deliver value incrementally.

Work in Progress (WIP): The number of tasks that are currently being worked on, which kanban limits to enhance focus and reduce bottlenecks.

Visual Management: The practice of using visual tools, like boards and charts, to communicate information about processes and workflows clearly and efficiently.