Kanban overview in Software Engineering - Step-by-Step Execution

Concept Flow - Kanban overview

Start: Work Items Created

↓

Add Items to To Do Column

↓

Move Items to In Progress

↓

Work on Items

↓

Move Items to Done

↓

Review Completed Items

↓

End

Kanban visualizes work items moving through stages from To Do to Done, showing progress and helping manage flow.

Execution Sample

Software Engineering

To Do -> In Progress -> Done

Shows how tasks move step-by-step through Kanban columns.

Analysis Table

Step	Action	Board State	Work Item Status
1	Create task 'Write report'	To Do: ['Write report']	Task 'Write report' created, status: To Do
2	Move 'Write report' to In Progress	To Do: [] | In Progress: ['Write report']	Task 'Write report' status: In Progress
3	Work on 'Write report'	In Progress: ['Write report']	Task 'Write report' being worked on
4	Move 'Write report' to Done	Done: ['Write report']	Task 'Write report' status: Done
5	Review 'Write report'	Done: ['Write report']	Task 'Write report' reviewed and completed
6	No more tasks	Board steady	No active tasks left

💡 All tasks moved to Done and reviewed; workflow complete

State Tracker

Variable	Start	After Step 1	After Step 2	After Step 4	Final
To Do	[]	['Write report']	[]	[]	[]
In Progress	[]	[]	['Write report']	[]	[]
Done	[]	[]	[]	['Write report']	['Write report']

Key Insights - 2 Insights

Why do tasks move from 'To Do' to 'In Progress' instead of directly to 'Done'?

Tasks must be actively worked on before completion; the execution_table rows 2 and 4 show the task moving stepwise to reflect actual work stages.

What happens if too many tasks stay in 'In Progress'?

It can cause bottlenecks and slow progress; Kanban limits work in progress to keep flow smooth, as seen in the steady movement in the execution_table.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution_table at Step 3, what is the status of the task?

A Task is in To Do

B Task is in In Progress

C Task is Done

D Task is reviewed

💡 Hint

Check the 'Work Item Status' column at Step 3 in execution_table

At which step does the task move to the Done column?

A Step 2

B Step 3

C Step 4

D Step 5

💡 Hint

Look at the 'Board State' column to see when 'Write report' appears under Done

If a new task is added at Step 6, what would change in the variable_tracker?

A To Do would have the new task listed

B In Progress would have the new task listed

C Done would have the new task listed

D No change in any column

💡 Hint

New tasks start in To Do as shown in Step 1 of variable_tracker

Concept Snapshot

Kanban is a visual workflow tool.
Tasks move through columns: To Do, In Progress, Done.
Limits work in progress to avoid overload.
Shows real-time status of tasks.
Helps teams manage flow and improve efficiency.

Full Transcript

Kanban is a method to visualize and manage work by moving tasks through stages on a board. Tasks start in the To Do column, then move to In Progress when work begins, and finally to Done when completed. This flow helps teams see progress and avoid too many tasks being worked on at once. The execution table shows a task created, moved through stages, and reviewed. Variables track where tasks are at each step. Key moments clarify why tasks move stepwise and the importance of limiting work in progress. The quiz tests understanding of task status at different steps and how adding tasks affects the board.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of using a Kanban board in software engineering?

easy

A. To replace all meetings with emails

B. To write code faster using automation

C. To visually track and manage work tasks through different stages

D. To create detailed project budgets

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Kanban's function

   Kanban is designed to help teams see and manage work visually by moving tasks across stages.

2. Step 2: Identify the correct purpose

   Among the options, only visual tracking and managing tasks matches Kanban's main use.

3. Final Answer:

   To visually track and manage work tasks through different stages -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Kanban = Visual task management [OK]

Hint: Kanban is about visualizing work stages [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking Kanban automates coding
• Confusing Kanban with budgeting tools
• Assuming Kanban replaces communication

2. Which of the following is the correct way to represent a Kanban board?

easy

A. A list of tasks without any columns

B. Columns representing stages with cards for tasks

C. A pie chart showing task percentages

D. A text document listing deadlines

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall Kanban board structure

   A Kanban board uses columns to show stages and cards to represent tasks.

2. Step 2: Match the correct representation

   Only Columns representing stages with cards for tasks describes columns with task cards, which is the standard Kanban format.

3. Final Answer:

   Columns representing stages with cards for tasks -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Kanban board = Columns + task cards [OK]

Hint: Kanban boards have columns and cards [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Kanban with charts or lists
• Ignoring the column structure
• Thinking Kanban is just a text list

3. Consider a Kanban board with columns: To Do, In Progress, and Done. If a task card moves from 'In Progress' to 'Done', what does this indicate?

medium

A. The task has been completed

B. The task is waiting to be started

C. The task is blocked and cannot proceed

D. The task has been started but not finished

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand column meanings

   'In Progress' means work is ongoing; 'Done' means work is finished.

2. Step 2: Interpret the card movement

   Moving a task from 'In Progress' to 'Done' shows the task is completed.

3. Final Answer:

   The task has been completed -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Done column = Completed tasks [OK]

Hint: Done means task finished [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing 'Done' with 'To Do'
• Assuming 'In Progress' means completed
• Thinking 'Done' means blocked

4. A team using Kanban notices that too many tasks are in the 'In Progress' column, causing delays. What is the best way to fix this problem?

medium

A. Add more columns to the board

B. Start all tasks at once to finish faster

C. Remove the 'Done' column

D. Limit the number of tasks allowed in 'In Progress'

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the problem

   Too many tasks in 'In Progress' cause bottlenecks and slow progress.

2. Step 2: Apply Kanban principle

   Kanban suggests limiting work in progress (WIP) to improve flow and focus.

3. Final Answer:

   Limit the number of tasks allowed in 'In Progress' -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   WIP limits reduce delays [OK]

Hint: Use WIP limits to avoid overload [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Adding columns doesn't reduce task overload
• Removing 'Done' breaks workflow tracking
• Starting all tasks at once causes more delays

5. A software team wants to improve their Kanban board to better handle urgent bugs without disrupting ongoing tasks. Which approach best applies Kanban principles to solve this?

hard

A. Create a separate urgent bug column with a strict WIP limit

B. Add urgent bugs to the 'To Do' column without limits

C. Ignore urgent bugs until current tasks finish

D. Move all tasks to 'In Progress' to speed up work

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the need for urgent bug handling

   Urgent bugs require quick attention but should not block other work.

2. Step 2: Apply Kanban principles

   Creating a separate column with WIP limits allows focus on urgent bugs without disrupting flow.

3. Step 3: Evaluate other options

   Adding bugs without limits or ignoring them breaks Kanban flow; moving all tasks disrupts focus.

4. Final Answer:

   Create a separate urgent bug column with a strict WIP limit -> Option A

5. Quick Check:

   Separate urgent work + WIP limits = better flow [OK]

Hint: Separate urgent tasks with limits to keep flow smooth [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring urgent bugs delays fixes
• Mixing urgent bugs without limits causes overload
• Moving all tasks at once reduces focus