Kanban Principles

Kanban principles are fundamental to the effective implementation of the Kanban method, applicable to various workflows and organizational processes. These principles aim to optimize existing processes, foster collaboration, and drive continuous improvement. The key principles include:

1. Empirical Process Control: Decisions are based on observation and data. Organizations refine current workflows using Kanban to minimize resistance to change and support continuous improvement.
2. Iterative or Incremental Development: Changes are implemented incrementally, allowing for course corrections based on stakeholder feedback and evolving workflow understanding.
3. Collaborative Leadership: Leadership is encouraged at all organizational levels, fostering a culture of shared responsibility, open communication, and continuous learning.
4. Value-based Prioritization: Work is prioritized based on the value it delivers to customers, with a focus on understanding customer needs, business value, risks, and dependencies.
5. Self-Organization: Teams are empowered to manage their responsibilities autonomously, promoting accountability, motivation, and effective decision-making.
6. Visualization or Transparency: Workflows are made visible through tools like the Kanban Board and Backlog, enhancing transparency, identifying areas for improvement, and enabling data-driven decisions.

Together, these principles support agile, adaptable workflows that drive efficiency, collaboration, and customer-centric outcomes.