Kanban Project App

At kanbanproject.app, our mission is to provide a comprehensive resource for individuals and teams seeking to implement and optimize their use of kanban project management. We aim to offer a user-friendly platform that offers practical guidance, tools, and resources to help users streamline their workflows, increase productivity, and achieve their project goals. Our goal is to empower individuals and teams to work smarter, not harder, by leveraging the power of kanban project management.

Video Introduction Course Tutorial

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Introduction

Kanban is a project management methodology that focuses on visualizing work, limiting work in progress, and optimizing flow. It is a popular approach for teams that want to improve their productivity, efficiency, and quality. Kanban is based on the principles of Lean manufacturing and was first introduced by Toyota in the 1940s. Today, Kanban is used in various industries, including software development, healthcare, education, and finance. This cheat sheet provides an overview of the key concepts, topics, and categories related to Kanban project management.

  1. Kanban Board

A Kanban board is a visual representation of the work that needs to be done, the work that is in progress, and the work that has been completed. It consists of columns that represent the different stages of the workflow, such as "To Do," "In Progress," and "Done." Each column contains cards that represent individual tasks or work items. The Kanban board provides a clear and transparent view of the work, which helps the team to prioritize, collaborate, and track progress.

  1. Work in Progress (WIP) Limits

Work in progress (WIP) limits are a key aspect of Kanban. They are used to limit the amount of work that can be in progress at any given time. WIP limits help to prevent overloading the team with too much work, which can lead to delays, bottlenecks, and poor quality. WIP limits are set for each column on the Kanban board, and the team is responsible for ensuring that they are not exceeded.

  1. Pull System

Kanban is a pull system, which means that work is pulled through the system based on demand. Work is not pushed into the system based on a predetermined schedule or plan. This approach helps to reduce waste, improve flow, and increase efficiency. The pull system is facilitated by the use of WIP limits, which ensure that work is only pulled into the system when there is capacity to handle it.

  1. Continuous Improvement

Continuous improvement is a key principle of Kanban. It involves regularly reviewing and improving the Kanban system to optimize flow, reduce waste, and increase efficiency. Continuous improvement is facilitated by the use of metrics, such as lead time, cycle time, and throughput, which provide data on the performance of the system. The team uses this data to identify areas for improvement and to implement changes that will lead to better outcomes.

  1. Classes of Service

Classes of service are used to prioritize work items based on their importance and urgency. Different classes of service may have different WIP limits and different levels of priority. For example, urgent work may have a higher WIP limit and a higher priority than non-urgent work. Classes of service help the team to focus on the most important work and to ensure that it is completed in a timely manner.

  1. Cumulative Flow Diagram

A cumulative flow diagram is a chart that shows the flow of work through the Kanban system over time. It provides a visual representation of the work in progress, the work completed, and the work that is yet to be done. The cumulative flow diagram can be used to identify bottlenecks, track progress, and forecast future performance.

  1. Lead Time

Lead time is the amount of time it takes for a work item to move through the Kanban system from start to finish. It includes the time spent in each column on the Kanban board, as well as any wait time or delays. Lead time is an important metric for measuring the performance of the Kanban system and for identifying areas for improvement.

  1. Cycle Time

Cycle time is the amount of time it takes for a work item to move through a single column on the Kanban board. It is a measure of the efficiency of the process and can be used to identify bottlenecks and areas for improvement. Cycle time is typically shorter than lead time, as it only measures the time spent in a single column.

  1. Throughput

Throughput is the rate at which work items are completed in the Kanban system. It is a measure of the productivity of the team and can be used to forecast future performance. Throughput is calculated by dividing the number of completed work items by the time period in which they were completed.

  1. Kanban Metrics

Kanban metrics are used to measure the performance of the Kanban system and to identify areas for improvement. The most common Kanban metrics include lead time, cycle time, throughput, WIP, and flow efficiency. These metrics provide data on the performance of the system and can be used to make data-driven decisions about how to optimize the Kanban process.

  1. Agile Kanban

Agile Kanban is a combination of Kanban and Agile methodologies. It is used by teams that want to adopt a more flexible and adaptive approach to project management. Agile Kanban emphasizes collaboration, continuous improvement, and customer satisfaction. It is particularly well-suited to software development projects, where requirements may change frequently and unpredictably.

  1. Kanban vs. Scrum

Kanban and Scrum are two popular Agile methodologies for project management. While they share some similarities, such as a focus on collaboration and continuous improvement, there are also some key differences between the two. Kanban is a pull system that emphasizes visualizing work, limiting WIP, and optimizing flow. Scrum is a framework that emphasizes time-boxed iterations, roles, and ceremonies. Kanban is more flexible and adaptable than Scrum, making it a better fit for projects with changing requirements.

Conclusion

Kanban is a powerful project management methodology that can help teams to improve their productivity, efficiency, and quality. It is based on the principles of Lean manufacturing and emphasizes visualizing work, limiting WIP, and optimizing flow. Kanban is particularly well-suited to software development projects, where requirements may change frequently and unpredictably. By using Kanban, teams can work more collaboratively, continuously improve their processes, and deliver better outcomes for their customers.

Common Terms, Definitions and Jargon

1. Agile - A project management methodology that emphasizes flexibility and adaptability.
2. Backlog - A list of tasks or features that need to be completed in a project.
3. Board - A visual representation of a project's progress, often used in kanban.
4. Bottleneck - A point in a process where work is slowed down or stopped.
5. Cadence - The frequency at which work is completed in a project.
6. Card - A task or feature represented on a kanban board.
7. Capacity - The amount of work a team or individual can handle in a given time period.
8. Cycle Time - The time it takes to complete a task or feature from start to finish.
9. Daily Standup - A brief meeting where team members discuss progress and plan for the day.
10. Definition of Done - A clear and concise description of what constitutes a completed task or feature.
11. Epic - A large and complex task or feature that is broken down into smaller pieces.
12. Flow - The movement of work through a process.
13. Forecast - An estimate of how much work can be completed in a given time period.
14. Impediment - Anything that slows down or prevents work from being completed.
15. Iteration - A period of time in which work is completed and reviewed before moving on to the next phase.
16. Kanban - A project management methodology that emphasizes visualizing work and limiting work in progress.
17. Lead Time - The time it takes to complete a task or feature from the moment it is requested.
18. Lean - A project management methodology that emphasizes efficiency and waste reduction.
19. Limiting WIP - A practice of limiting the amount of work in progress to improve flow and reduce bottlenecks.
20. Metrics - Data used to measure and analyze project performance.

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