Kanban (Japanese for “visual signal”) originates from Toyota’s manufacturing system. In software, it’s a workflow management method focused on continuous delivery — no fixed iterations, just a steady flow of work.
The Kanban Board
Three core columns (teams add more as needed):
| Backlog | In Progress (WIP: 3) | Done |
|---|---|---|
| Task A | Task C | Task E |
| Task B | Task D |
The WIP limit (Work In Progress) is the most important Kanban metric. If “In Progress” has a WIP limit of 3, no task can be started until one moves to Done.
The Six Principles
- Visualize the workflow — make work visible on a board.
- Limit WIP — stop starting, start finishing.
- Manage flow — monitor cycle time, identify bottlenecks.
- Make policies explicit — define what “In Progress” means, who can pull tasks, etc.
- Implement feedback loops — regular reviews of the board and flow.
- Improve collaboratively — evolve the system based on data.
Kanban vs Scrum
| Dimension | Scrum | Kanban |
|---|---|---|
| Cadence | Fixed sprints | Continuous flow |
| Roles | Product Owner, Scrum Master, Dev Team | No prescribed roles |
| WIP limit | Implicit (sprint backlog size) | Explicit per column |
| Changes | Avoided mid-sprint | Any time |
| Meetings | 4 regular ceremonies | None prescribed |
| Best for | Product development | Maintenance, support, operations |
Q: When should you use Kanban instead of Scrum?
A: For unpredictable work — support tickets, maintenance requests, urgent fixes. These don’t fit neatly into sprints. Kanban’s continuous flow handles interruptions naturally.
Q: What metrics does Kanban use?
A: Cycle time (time from start to finish for a task), throughput (tasks completed per week), and WIP. Lead time (time from request to delivery) is the key customer-facing metric.
Q: Can you use Kanban with sprints?
A: Yes — “Scrumban” is a hybrid. Use Scrum’s ceremonies (planning, daily standup) with Kanban’s visual board and WIP limits. Common in teams transitioning from Scrum to Kanban.
Premium Content
Unlock Kanban Model and all premium lessons with a subscription.
From ₹199.99/year — See plans