Kanban — a quick introduction.
Kanban is a work management technique for managing customer requests in a highly efficient way. Although Kanban emerged from software development teams, it is becoming a popular approach for other knowledge-based workers in IT, HR, Finance, Marketing and Legal teams.
Kanban originated from Toyota's just-in-time production system. Knowledge work is a creative activity and obviously different to the mass production of cars — but the underlying principles for managing production can still be applied, with a few important tweaks.
Kanban topics
A collection of guides covering the key concepts, techniques and practices behind a well-designed Kanban system.
What is Kanban?
An introduction to Kanban — what it is, where it came from, and why it works for knowledge work teams.
What is a Kanban Board?
How a Kanban Board works as a visual representation of your system, and what good board design looks like.
Implement Kanban in 3 Easy Steps
A simple, practical guide to getting started with Kanban without a big transformation programme.
How to Deal with Blockers
Practical approaches to identifying, visualising, and resolving blockers before they derail your flow.
Scrum vs Kanban
An honest look at the differences between Scrum and Kanban — and why the debate is often the wrong conversation.
Kanban Classes of Service
How to use Classes of Service to manage different types of work fairly and transparently across your system.
Dependency Management
Practical techniques for managing dependencies in Kanban systems without losing flow or visibility.
Kanban Metrics
The key flow metrics — cycle time, throughput, WIP — and how to use them to drive meaningful improvement.
Portfolio Kanban
How to apply Kanban thinking at the portfolio level to improve visibility and decision-making across teams.
Written by a practitioner, not a theorist.
These guides are written by Ian Carroll, who consults, coaches, trains and speaks on all topics related to Lean, Kanban and Agile software delivery. The content is drawn from real engagements across financial services, technology, legal and public sector organisations.
If you want to go beyond the basics, the Portfolio Kanban course covers system design, scaling, metrics and flow at depth — with live online sessions and practical exercises throughout.
Ready to improve flow in your organisation?
Solutioneers helps teams implement Kanban systems that stick — from initial board design through to flow metrics and continuous improvement.