Online Kanban board: manage your tasks with the Kanban method
Kanban is a visual work management system originated at Toyota in the 1940s. The Japanese word "kanban" means "visual card." The method turns workflow into a board with columns representing stages and cards representing tasks.
Kanban method principles
- Visualize work: all tasks are visible on the board.
- Limit work in progress (WIP): prevents overload and multitasking.
- Manage flow: optimize how tasks move from column to column.
- Continuously improve: analyze flow and eliminate bottlenecks.
Kanban vs. Scrum
Scrum works with fixed-duration sprints (1-4 weeks) and defined roles (Scrum Master, Product Owner). Kanban is more flexible: no sprints or mandatory roles, and tasks can be added to the board at any time. For teams with continuous and variable work, Kanban is usually more natural.
Work in progress (WIP) limits
The WIP limit is the maximum number of tasks allowed in a column simultaneously. Limiting WIP reduces context switching, improves focus, and makes bottlenecks visible. If a column reaches its limit, the team must resolve current tasks before adding new ones.