Definition
Kanban is a visual system for managing work as it moves through a process. Kanban visualizes both the process (the workflow) and the actual work passing through that process.
Why It Matters
You can’t manage what you can’t see. Kanban turns the invisible flow of work into a visual system, preventing “bottleneck blindness” and ensuring that a team’s capacity is never overwhelmed by the “noise” of too many active tasks.
Core Concepts
- Visualize the Workflow: Using boards (Kanban Boards) to see the state of work.
- Limit WIP (Work in Progress): Reducing multitasking to improve flow and cycle time.
- Manage Flow: Identifying and resolving bottlenecks in the system.
- Continuous Improvement (Kaizen): Evoluntionary change based on data.