Definition
Kanban is a visual workflow management method. Work items are represented as cards that move left-to-right through columns (stages) on a board. The method emphasizes three practices: visualize the work, limit work in progress, and manage flow.
Origin
Kanban originated as part of the Toyota Production System in the 1940s, where physical cards ("kanban" means "visual signal" in Japanese) signaled when materials should be replenished. David Anderson adapted it for knowledge work in the 2000s.
The three core practices
- Visualize the work. Make every task a card. Make every stage a column. The board is the source of truth.
- Limit work in progress (WIP). Cap the number of items allowed in each stage. See WIP limit.
- Manage flow. Watch how cards move through the system. Look for bottlenecks, measure cycle time, improve.
Kanban vs Scrum
Both are Agile. Scrum uses time-boxed sprints with committed scope. Kanban runs continuously with no iterations. For service operations — where work arrives unpredictably from customers — Kanban almost always fits better. See Kanban vs Scrum for service teams.
What real Kanban requires
A Trello-style board where cards drift between columns isn't Kanban — it's permissive board software. Real Kanban for service teams enforces stage progression, limits WIP, tracks cycle time per stage, and surfaces bottlenecks numerically.