Introduction

Kanban is a visual workflow management method that helps teams visualize their work, maximize efficiency, and improve continuously. Understanding the workflow in Kanban is crucial for effectively managing tasks and ensuring smooth project execution.

Key Concepts of Kanban Workflow

Visualize Work: Use a Kanban board to visualize the flow of work items.
Limit Work in Progress (WIP): Set limits on the number of tasks in progress to avoid overloading team members.
Manage Flow: Ensure a smooth flow of tasks from start to finish.
Make Process Policies Explicit: Clearly define and communicate the rules and policies of the workflow.
Implement Feedback Loops: Regularly review and adjust the workflow based on feedback.
Improve Collaboratively, Evolve Experimentally: Continuously improve the workflow through collaboration and experimentation.

Components of a Kanban Board

A Kanban board typically consists of the following columns:

Column Name	Description
Backlog	Tasks that are yet to be started.
To Do	Tasks that are ready to be worked on.
In Progress	Tasks that are currently being worked on.
Review	Tasks that are completed and need to be reviewed.
Done	Tasks that are completed and approved.

Example of a Kanban Board

| Backlog       | To Do         | In Progress   | Review        | Done          |
|---------------|---------------|---------------|---------------|---------------|
| Task 1        | Task 4        | Task 7        | Task 10       | Task 13       |
| Task 2        | Task 5        | Task 8        | Task 11       | Task 14       |
| Task 3        | Task 6        | Task 9        | Task 12       | Task 15       |

Practical Example

Let's create a simple Kanban board for a software development project.

Step 1: Define Columns

Backlog: All tasks that need to be done.
To Do: Tasks that are ready to be picked up.
In Progress: Tasks currently being worked on.
Review: Tasks that need to be reviewed.
Done: Completed tasks.

Step 2: Add Tasks

Backlog:
- Task A: Design the homepage.
- Task B: Develop the login feature.
- Task C: Write unit tests for the login feature.
To Do:
- Task D: Create the database schema.
In Progress:
- Task E: Implement the user registration feature.
Review:
- Task F: Review the user registration feature.
Done:
- Task G: Set up the project repository.

Step 3: Visualize the Board

| Backlog       | To Do         | In Progress   | Review        | Done          |
|---------------|---------------|---------------|---------------|---------------|
| Task A        | Task D        | Task E        | Task F        | Task G        |
| Task B        |               |               |               |               |
| Task C        |               |               |               |               |

Exercises

Exercise 1: Create Your Own Kanban Board

Define a project you are currently working on.
Identify at least five tasks for the project.
Create a Kanban board with the columns: Backlog, To Do, In Progress, Review, Done.
Place the tasks in the appropriate columns.

Solution Example

Project: Website Redesign
Tasks:
- Task 1: Research design trends.
- Task 2: Create wireframes.
- Task 3: Develop the homepage.
- Task 4: Test the homepage.
- Task 5: Deploy the homepage.
Kanban Board:

| Backlog       | To Do         | In Progress   | Review        | Done          |
|---------------|---------------|---------------|---------------|---------------|
| Task 1        | Task 2        | Task 3        | Task 4        | Task 5        |

Exercise 2: Implement WIP Limits

Set a Work In Progress (WIP) limit for the "In Progress" column (e.g., maximum 3 tasks).
Adjust your tasks to respect the WIP limit.

Solution Example

WIP Limit: Maximum 3 tasks in "In Progress".
Adjusted Kanban Board:

| Backlog       | To Do         | In Progress   | Review        | Done          |
|---------------|---------------|---------------|---------------|---------------|
| Task 1        | Task 2        | Task 3        | Task 4        | Task 5        |
| Task 6        |               | Task 7        |               |               |
| Task 8        |               |               |               |               |

Common Mistakes and Tips

Overloading the "In Progress" Column: Avoid having too many tasks in progress at the same time. Use WIP limits to manage this.
Ignoring Feedback: Regularly review and adjust the workflow based on team feedback.
Not Visualizing All Work: Ensure all tasks, including maintenance and bug fixes, are visualized on the board.

Conclusion

Understanding and implementing an effective Kanban workflow can significantly improve the efficiency and productivity of your team. By visualizing work, limiting WIP, managing flow, and continuously improving, you can ensure a smooth and efficient workflow.

Workflow in Kanban

Introduction

Key Concepts of Kanban Workflow

Components of a Kanban Board

Example of a Kanban Board

Practical Example

Step 1: Define Columns

Step 2: Add Tasks

Step 3: Visualize the Board

Exercises

Exercise 1: Create Your Own Kanban Board

Solution Example

Exercise 2: Implement WIP Limits

Solution Example

Common Mistakes and Tips

Conclusion

Agile Methodologies Course

Module 1: Introduction to Agile Methodologies

Module 2: Scrum

Module 3: Kanban

Module 4: Software Project Management with Agile Methodologies

Module 5: Case Studies and Exercises

Module 6: Tools and Resources