Kanban

A visual workflow management method designed to maximize efficiency by limiting work-in-progress and optimizing flow.

Originating from the Toyota Production System in the 1940s, Kanban utilizes visual signals (cards) and columns (To Do, Doing, Done) to manage demand against capacity. It centers on four core principles: visualizing work, limiting work-in-progress (WIP) to prevent bottlenecks, managing flow, and continuous improvement. By setting strict WIP limits (e.g., no more than 3 active tasks per developer), teams identify systemic friction points immediately. This pull-based system ensures that work is only started when there is actual capacity, reducing cycle times and increasing delivery predictability across software engineering and manufacturing sectors.

https://www.atlassian.com/agile/kanban