kanbanborð

A kanbanborð is a visual management tool used to optimize work flow by displaying tasks as they move through stages of a process. It helps teams see work in progress, identify bottlenecks, and improve delivery times.

A board typically consists of columns representing process steps, such as Backlog, To Do, In Progress, Review, and Done. Individual work items are represented by cards or sticky notes, containing information like title, assignee, priority, and due date. Some boards use swimlanes to separate work by team, project, or priority.

The system is guided by core principles: visualize work, limit work in progress (WIP), manage flow, make process rules explicit, and use feedback loops for continuous improvement. Work is usually pulled into the next stage when capacity is available, rather than pushed aggressively.

Kanban originated in the Toyota Production System in manufacturing, where kanban cards signaled the need to move materials or produce more. In software development and knowledge work, kanban was adapted in the 2000s and popularized by practitioners such as David J. Anderson, promoting evolutionary change and lightweight governance rather than heavy upfront planning.

Kanban boards can be physical or digital. Physical boards use a wall, whiteboard, and sticky notes; digital tools include Trello, Jira, Kanboard and others. Boards are used across industries to improve transparency, shorten cycle times, and identify bottlenecks.

While powerful, kanban requires discipline to enforce WIP limits and policy clarity. Overly complex boards can hinder it; the aim is to improve flow, not to micromanage tasks.