What are kanban boards?
A kanban board is a visual workflow management tool that uses columns and cards to represent tasks moving through stages of a process. Each column typically represents a stage (like "Do", "Doing", "Done"), and each card represents a single task or work item.
The goal is to give teams a clear, at-a-glance view of what's being worked on, what's next, and where bottlenecks are forming.
Where did kanban boards come from?
Kanban originated at Toyota in the late 1940s as part of the Toyota Production System. Engineer Taiichi Ohno developed it to improve manufacturing efficiency by using visual signals (the word "kanban" means "signboard" or "billboard" in Japanese) to control inventory and production flow.
It was later adapted for software development and knowledge work in the 2000s, popularized by David J. Anderson.
What are the main statuses used on a kanban board?
Most kanban boards use at least three core statuses: Do (not yet started), Doing (actively being worked on), and Done (completed). Many teams add more granular stages like "In Review", "Blocked", or "Testing" depending on their workflow.
What does kanban board do?
A kanban board organizes and visualizes work so teams can track progress, limit how much is in motion at once (via WIP limits), and spot bottlenecks before they cause delays. It supports a pull-based system, where team members pull new tasks when they have capacity, rather than having work pushed onto them.
Are kanban boards agile?
Yes. Kanban is considered one of the agile methodologies, though it's more flexible than frameworks like Scrum. It follows agile principles like continuous delivery and iterative improvement, but doesn't require fixed-length sprints or prescribed roles.
What are scrum and kanban boards?
Both are visual boards used in agile project management, but they work differently. A scrum board resets each sprint (usually 1–4 weeks) and is tied to sprint planning and sprint goals. A kanban board is continuous — there are no sprints, and work flows through columns at its own pace, often governed by WIP limits.
Does a kanban board have a backlog?
Yes, many kanban boards include a "Backlog" column as the first stage, holding tasks that haven't been started or prioritized yet. It's optional, but common in team setups where new work needs a holding area before it enters active workflow.
Does a kanban board have a sprint?
No, kanban boards don't use sprints. Sprints are a scrum concept — fixed time boxes (usually 1–4 weeks) where a set amount of work is planned and completed. Kanban is a continuous flow system instead: work moves through columns as capacity allows, with no fixed iterations or resets.
Does a kanban board have a story point?
Not inherently, no. Story points are an estimation technique commonly used in scrum to size work relative to effort or complexity. Kanban doesn't require estimation at all — it focuses on flow metrics like cycle time and throughput instead. That said, some teams choose to layer story points onto a kanban board if it fits their workflow, but it's not a built-in kanban concept.
