List the main principles of Kanban.
The main principles of Kanban are divided into two groups: foundational principles (how to adopt it) and flow management principles (how to work).
1. Foundational principles
- Start with what you do now Kanban does not require breaking current processes - it is layered on top of what exists and gradually improves it.
- Agree to pursue incremental, evolutionary change Changes are introduced evolutionarily, without abrupt reforms, so the team adapts without resistance.
- Respect current roles and responsibilities Kanban does not impose new roles - people keep their functions, and the system adapts to them.
- Encourage leadership at all levels Any participant can initiate improvements, not only managers.
2. Flow management principles
- Visualize the work Display tasks and stages on a Kanban board to see the whole process.
- Limit WIP (Work In Progress) Set a limit on the number of tasks in progress - this prevents overload and speeds up completion.
- Manage flow Track how tasks move through the process, analyze speed, stability, and bottlenecks.
- Make policies explicit All agreements and "done" criteria must be transparent to all participants.
- Implement feedback loops Regularly analyze results (through metrics and meetings) and improve the process.
- Improve collaboratively, evolve experimentally Kanban is continuous improvement based on data, observations, and the team's experience.
Conclusion
Kanban's principles aim at transparency, gradual improvement, and a sustainable flow of work, where the team does not chase speed but builds a predictable and efficient process.
Short Answer
Interview readyPremium
A concise answer to help you respond confidently on this topic during an interview.