Kanban

Kanban is a visual workflow management method designed to help teams track tasks, improve efficiency, and avoid bottlenecks. Originating from Toyota’s manufacturing system, Kanban has since become a popular framework in project management and agile environments.

The core idea of Kanban is simple: represent work items on a Kanban board, typically divided into columns such as To Do, In Progress, and Done. Each task is represented by a card, and as work progresses, the card moves across the columns. This gives everyone on the team a real-time snapshot of project status without needing lengthy updates.

One of the defining features of Kanban is its focus on limiting work in progress (WIP). By capping the number of tasks allowed in a given stage, teams avoid overloading resources and are forced to complete work before starting new items. This approach reduces context switching, improves focus, and accelerates delivery.

Kanban is not about rigid processes but about continuous improvement. Teams regularly analyze workflow, identify bottlenecks, and adapt their processes to achieve smoother task flow.

For example, a marketing team might use Kanban to track campaign tasks: drafting copy, designing visuals, scheduling posts, and publishing. By seeing the entire process on a board, the team quickly spots where work is piling up and reallocates resources accordingly.