Getting Started with Kanban: A Beginner's Guide

Kanban is a visual workflow management method that helps teams visualize their work, limit work-in-progress, and maximize efficiency. Originally developed by Toyota in the 1940s for manufacturing, it has since been adapted for software development and other knowledge work.

What is Kanban?

Kanban (which means "visual signal" in Japanese) is a method for managing the flow of work. It uses a board with columns representing different stages of work, and cards representing individual tasks that move through these stages.

Core Principles of Kanban

1. Visualize Your Work

The first step is to create a visual representation of your workflow. This typically involves a board with columns like "To Do," "In Progress," and "Done."

2. Limit Work in Progress (WIP)

One of the key principles of Kanban is limiting the amount of work in progress at any given time. This helps prevent bottlenecks and ensures that team members focus on completing tasks rather than starting new ones.

3. Manage Flow

By visualizing work and limiting WIP, you can identify bottlenecks and optimize your workflow for smoother, more predictable delivery.

4. Make Process Policies Explicit

Document and share the rules and guidelines that govern how work moves through your system.

5. Implement Feedback Loops

Regular retrospectives and reviews help teams continuously improve their processes.

Getting Started with Kanbanboard.nl

Kanbanboard.nl makes it easy to implement Kanban in your team:

**Create your board** - Set up columns that match your workflow

**Add your tasks** - Create tickets for each piece of work

**Start moving cards** - Drag and drop cards as work progresses

**Review and improve** - Use the reports to identify bottlenecks

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