Kanban
Kanban is a project management methodology that originated in lean manufacturing at Toyota in the 1940s before being adapted for knowledge work and software development. The term “kanban” comes from Japanese and means “signboard” or “billboard.” The methodology is built around visualizing work, limiting work in progress, and managing flow to improve efficiency and responsiveness.
Core Principles
The fundamental approach of Kanban centers on making work visible through a board or system that displays tasks in different stages—typically columns representing workflow states such as “To Do,” “In Progress,” and “Done.” By limiting the number of tasks allowed in each stage simultaneously, teams create constraints that prevent bottlenecks and encourage completion before new work begins. This focus on flow rather than sprints or fixed iterations allows teams to respond to changing priorities and maintain a steady pace of delivery.
Applications
While Kanban originated in manufacturing, it has become widely adopted in software development, product management, and various knowledge work domains. Teams use Kanban boards in physical form or through digital tools to track tasks, coordinate dependencies, and maintain transparency across projects. The methodology’s flexibility makes it suitable for both dedicated teams and shared resource environments, and it can function independently or complement other frameworks like Scrum.