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Kanban Approach
Kanban is a visual project management approach emphasising continuous workflow, efficiency, and collaboration. PSL-Agile Excel Template supports the Kanban approach as a structured method for managing tasks and optimising work processes.
Kanban Concepts
Before going on the practical instructions on using PSL-Agile for the Kanban approach, it is essential to introduce its main concepts, namely briefly:
Continuous Workflow: Kanban promotes the continuous flow of work by visualising tasks and their progression through various stages. It ensures that tasks or work items move smoothly from the backlog to completion without significant bottlenecks or delays.
Backlog: The backlog represents a list of tasks or work items that must be completed. It is a repository for all upcoming work and the source for tasks pulled into the workflow.
Kanban Board: A Kanban board is a visual representation of your workflow. It is typically divided into columns representing different stages of work, such as “To-Do,” “In Progress,” and “Done.” Tasks move from one column to the next as they progress.
Task: A task is a specific unit of work that needs to be completed. It can represent your project's user stories, features, or any actionable item.
WIP (Work in Progress): Work in Progress refers to the number of tasks or items currently being actively worked on within a specific workflow stage, for instance, in the “In Progress” stage.
WIP Limit: To prevent overloading team members and maintain a smooth workflow, WIP limits are set for each column on the Kanban board. These limits restrict the number of tasks that can be in progress simultaneously.
Current WIP: This indicates the number of tasks in progress, helping teams stay within the WIP limits.
Lead Time: Lead time measures the total time it takes for a task to move from when it is added to the backlog to when it is completed. It includes both active work time and waiting time.
Cycle Time: Cycle time focuses solely on the active work time needed to complete a task, excluding waiting or idle time. It provides insights into how quickly tasks are completed once they enter the workflow.
By incorporating Kanban principles and utilising the Kanban board within the PSL-Agile Excel Template, you can effectively manage your project's workflow, visualise task progress, and optimise the efficiency of your team's work processes. Understanding these Kanban concepts will empower you to make informed decisions and maintain a steady and efficient project flow.
Setup Kanban Board
For implementing the Kanban approach with the PSL-Agile, you shall use the “Kanban” sheet and perform the following actions:
Define WIP: Define the Work in Progress (WIP) limit for the table “In Progress” of your Kanban board. This WIP simultaneously restricts the number of tasks in progress, ensuring a smooth workflow.
Update From ProductBacklog (Premium): Select the “Update from ProductBacklog” command (available from “PSL-Agile | Kanban”) to seamlessly copy all the in-progress product items from the product backlog to the Kanban board.
Update From SprintBacklog (Premium): Select the “Update from SprintBacklog” command (available from “PSL-Agile | Kanban”) to seamlessly copy all the in-progress task items from the sprint backlog to the Kanban board.