Kanban Board and Visual Controls Guide

Limited WIP Societyj.c.yip@computer.org

http://jchyip.blogspot.com@jchyip

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WHY VISUAL CONTROLS?

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Knowledge work is invisibleProblems with physical work are obvious

Problems with knowledge work are non-obvious

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Information refrigerator vs radiator

Requires you to actively look for information (e.g., Word doc)

Actively makes it difficult for you to ignore information (e.g., Agile

board)

http://alistair.cockburn.us/Information+radiator

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WHAT’S AN EFFECTIVE INFORMATION RADIATOR / VISUAL CONTROL?

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Easily visible

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Understood at a glance

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Changes periodically

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Easy to change

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What’s an effective information radiator / visual control?

• Is large and easily visible to the casual, interested observer• Is understood at a glance – self explaining• Changes periodically, so that it is worth visiting• Is easy to change and keep up to date

http://alistair.cockburn.us/Information+radiatorhttp://www.bulsuk.com/2011/01/three-rules-of-effective-visuals.html#axzz24LDnrXCW

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KEY ASPECTS OF A KANBAN BOARD

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Key aspects of a kanban board

Workflow

Work Items

Avatars

WIP LimitsExplicit Policy

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Key Aspects of a Kanban board

• Workflow• Work Items• Avatars• WIP limits• Explicit policy

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SUPPORTING ASPECTS OF A KANBAN BOARD

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Colour

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Position

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Framing

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Text

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Supporting Aspects of a Kanban board

• Colour: For example, colour coding for different work types

• Position: For example, more important items are higher on the board

• Framing: For example, separate lanes for each major feature

• Text: Big writing, small caps, avoid cursive

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EXAMPLES?

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KANBAN BOARD CHECKLIST

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Kanban board checklist

Easily visible? Understood at a glance?– How should an observer interpret the board? What are the policies?– What is the purpose?– What is the workflow?– What is being worked on?– Who is working on what?– What are the current problems? How easy is it to see problems?– What are the WIP limits (if any)?

Changes periodically? Easy to change?– Is the board up to date?– How easy is it to keep the board up to date?