Question 1

What is Kanban?

Accepted Answer

Kanban is a visual method for managing work and workflows. With a Kanban board, tasks are displayed as cards that move step by step through different stages, such as To do, In progress and Done. The Kanban method helps teams create clarity, limit Work in Progress (WIP) and continuously improve processes.

Question 2

When do you use Kanban?

Accepted Answer

Kanban is suitable for support teams, marketing departments, IT management and other environments with a constant flow of tasks. The method is less suitable when you work strictly in sprints or when scope and deadlines are fully defined in advance. In such situations, Scrum is often a better fit.

Question 3

What does Kanban mean in Japanese?

Accepted Answer

Kanban means &ldquo;signboard&rdquo;.

Question 4

What is a Kanban board?

Accepted Answer

A Kanban board is a visual planning board on which work is displayed in columns that represent the different process steps. Tasks appear as cards and move from left to right through the workflow, for example from To do to In progress and then to Done. A Kanban board helps teams maintain clarity, identify bottlenecks and make the progress of work transparent.

Question 5

What is a WIP limit?

Accepted Answer

A WIP limit determines how many tasks may be in progress at the same time. This helps to prevent multitasking and improve flow.

Question 6

What is the pull principle?

Accepted Answer

The pull principle is a way of working in which new work is only started when capacity is available. Instead of &ldquo;pushing&rdquo; tasks onto a team, work is actively &ldquo;pulled&rdquo; when space becomes available. Within Kanban, the pull principle ensures a steady workflow, less overload and better flow of tasks.

Question 7

What is the difference between Kanban and Agile?

Accepted Answer

Agile is a broader way of working in which teams respond flexibly to change and deliver value iteratively. Kanban is a specific method within Agile that focuses on visualising and optimising workflows through a Kanban board. While Agile is an overarching philosophy, Kanban is a practical approach to making work transparent and improving flow.

Question 8

What is the difference between Kanban and a to-do list?

Accepted Answer

A to-do list only shows which tasks still need to be completed. Kanban goes further: with a Kanban board, you not only see what needs to be done, but also where tasks are in the process, who is working on them and where delays are occurring. By making work visual in columns such as To do, In progress and Done, the Kanban method provides insight into progress, workflow and bottlenecks.

Question 9

What is the difference between Kanban and a Gantt chart?

Accepted Answer

A Gantt chart is a planning tool that maps tasks on a timeline with fixed start and end dates. Kanban is a visual workflow method that shows how work flows through different process steps. While a Gantt chart focuses on planning, deadlines and dependencies, Kanban focuses on execution, flow and limiting Work in Progress (WIP).

Question 10

How many columns does a Kanban board need?

Accepted Answer

A Kanban board needs at least three columns: To do, In progress and Done. This forms the basic workflow of the Kanban method. Many teams start with this simple setup and later expand the board with additional columns, such as Review, Testing or Waiting, depending on their process. The number of columns therefore depends on how detailed you want to visualise the workflow.

Question 11

Can you combine Kanban with Scrum?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Kanban can be combined with Scrum. This hybrid approach is often called Scrumban. Teams then work in Scrum sprints, but use a Kanban board to manage work visually and limit Work in Progress (WIP). In this way, they combine the fixed structure of Scrum with the flexibility and flow of the Kanban method.

The Kanban-view ✨