Kanban Values and Principles

The Kanban method is built on nine core values:

1. Transparency — A transparent workflow is only possible in a mature, responsible team.

2. Balance — Kanban relies on a sustainable pace. Overworked team members lose focus and efficiency, so balance between work and personal life is essential.

3. Collaboration — The team solves problems collectively to maximize performance.

4. Customer Focus — A satisfied customer is the best indicator of success.

5. Flow — The ultimate goal of Kanban is a smooth, continuous flow where tasks are completed quickly with minimal delays.

6. Leadership — Strong leadership empowers teams to be self-organizing, while weak leadership undermines them.

7. Understanding — No changes should be introduced without a clear understanding of why they are needed.

8. Agreement — Compromise is critical for resolving conflicts within the team and with customers.

9. Respect — Respect for oneself, colleagues, and customers is essential for improving both productivity and service quality.

Kanban Core Practices

To uphold these values, Kanban emphasizes six fundamental practices:

1. Visualize the Work — The key Kanban artifact is the board, where tasks move across columns. This makes progress visible and helps identify bottlenecks.

2. Limit Work in Progress (WIP) — WIP limits ensure the team stays focused on current tasks rather than overcommitting.

3. Manage Flow — By maintaining flow, teams achieve maximum efficiency. A core goal of Kanban is to create conditions that sustain this state.

4. Make Policies Explicit — Clear working agreements and rules guide behavior and improve overall efficiency.

5. Implement Feedback Loops — Regular reviews and discussions improve processes. Kanban uses cadences for structured feedback, though retrospectives can serve the same role.

6. Improve Collaboratively, Evolve Experimentally — The team commits to continuous improvement and learning new ways to solve problems, gradually increasing productivity and throughput.