This chapter covers the processes related to the Review and Improve phase in the Kanban Workflow. The objectives of the Review and Improve phase are to:
- Review completed deliverables
- Evaluate the team’s performance
- Identify bottlenecks
- Implement changes to optimize flow and efficiency
The Review and Improve phase is critical for fostering a culture of continuous improvement within Kanban. By consistently analyzing performance, identifying patterns, and implementing small, iterative changes, teams can create a more responsive, predictable, and efficient workflow. This phase aligns with Kanban’s principle of continuous improvement, focusing on systematic adjustments based on insights and metrics.
To ensure the effective application of the Kanban method, this chapter identifies inputs, tools, and outputs for each process as either mandatory or optional. Items marked with an asterisk (*) are mandatory, indicating they are critical for workflow success, while those without an asterisk are optional.
It is recommended that Kanban Team members and individuals new to the Kanban method focus primarily on the mandatory inputs, tools, and outputs. In contrast, Product Owners, Kanban Managers, and other experienced Kanban practitioners should strive for a comprehensive understanding of all the information presented in this chapter.
This chapter is written from the perspective of a single Kanban Team working on one Kanban Workflow, which may be part of a larger organization, program, or portfolio. Additional information on Scaling Kanban is discussed in a later section.
Figure 8-1 illustrates the key processes involved in the Review and Improve phase:
- Review Completed Deliverables : In this optional process, the Kanban Team demonstrates the completed deliverables to the Product Owner and relevant stakeholders to secure their acceptance.
- Conduct Retrospectives:Regular retrospectives enable the team to reflect on recent work cycles, fostering open discussions about what went well, areas for improvement, and actionable steps for future enhancements.
These processes support a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring that the Kanban Workflow evolves to meet changing needs and drives sustained performance gains.
Figure 8.1: Overview of Review and Improve Phase Processes
Note: Asterisks (*) denote a “mandatory” input, tool, or output for the corresponding process.