Software Development Methodology: Kanban

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• SDM

Kanban is an Agile framework that emphasizes visualizing work, limiting work in progress, and optimizing flow. It is a flexible and continuous delivery approach that enables teams to adapt to changing priorities and requirements.

Core Principles of Kanban

1. Visualizing Work:

   • Work items are represented on a Kanban board, providing a visual representation of tasks and their status.
   • The board typically includes columns such as "To Do," "In Progress," and "Done."

2. Limiting Work in Progress (WIP):

   • Kanban encourages setting explicit limits on the number of tasks that can be in progress simultaneously.
   • Limiting WIP helps maintain a steady workflow and prevents overload.

3. Managing Flow:

   • Teams focus on optimizing the flow of work from the beginning to the end of the development process.
   • The goal is to minimize bottlenecks and ensure a smooth and efficient workflow.

4. Continuous Delivery:

   • Kanban emphasizes delivering work continuously rather than in fixed iterations.
   • Tasks are pulled from the backlog based on capacity, allowing for a more adaptive and responsive development process.

Kanban Board

A typical Kanban board consists of the following columns:

• Backlog:

  • This column contains a list of all the tasks that need to be done.

• To Do:

  • Work items that are ready to be pulled by team members.

• In Progress:

  • Tasks that team members are currently working on.

• Review/QA:

  • Work items that are awaiting review or quality assurance.

• Done:

  • Completed tasks that have been delivered.

Advantages of the Kanban Model

• Visual Management:

  • The Kanban board provides a clear visual representation of work, making it easy to track progress.

• Flexibility:

  • Kanban allows for changes in priorities, making it suitable for projects with evolving requirements.

• Continuous Improvement:

  • The emphasis on flow and limiting WIP encourages teams to continually improve their processes.

Disadvantages of the Kanban Model

• Lack of Time Frames:

  • Kanban does not inherently provide defined time frames for task completion, which can be challenging for projects with strict deadlines.

• Dependency on Team Discipline:

  • Success with Kanban relies on the discipline of the team in managing WIP limits and maintaining the flow.

Conclusion

Kanban is a versatile methodology that suits projects with changing priorities and a need for continuous delivery. Its emphasis on visual management and flow optimization makes it effective for teams aiming to improve efficiency and responsiveness.