Core Values of Lean Kanban

The core values of Lean Kanban are as follows:

• Continuous Improvement: Lean Kanban adopts the concept of Kaizen, rooted in the Japanese philosophy of business that emphasizes continuous improvement. "Kaizen" consists of two parts: "Kai," meaning an idea for change or an action to rectify something, and "Zen," meaning "good." This concept is based on the belief that there is always room for improvement in business, ultimately leading to the successful elimination of waste and excess.
• Visualization of Work: A Kanban Board is a popular tool for implementing the Kanban methodology and increasing productivity. The board helps teams organize their work using cards (Kanban), each representing a different feature, and placed on the board. It aids in the visualization, control, and optimization of workflow. Kanban Boards are flexible and can be customized to match the workflow and associated needs.
• Respect for People and Processes: Lean Kanban values each person and process within a business as essential contributors to the organization. Every idea has the potential to add to the company’s success. Lean promotes an environment of recognition and respect, which is crucial for clear communication. This respect encourages people to share their opinions and suggestions, leading to potential improvements.
• Limit Work in Progress: This value advocates for using buffers to smooth out variability in the effort required to complete a task. The goal is to avoid overloading the system. The key element is limiting new tasks based on the system's available capacity, keeping total work within predetermined WIP limits. Developers must maintain a smooth process flow, avoiding excessive tasks in WIP. A new task is only pulled when the current task is completed.
• Eliminate Waste and Target Zero Defects: Lean Kanban utilizes statistical quality control and an adaptive human-centric structure to keep team members motivated to achieve zero defects in their work.
• Standardize Work and Manage Workflow: Lean Kanban emphasizes standardizing workflows or processes to ensure consistency, quality, and efficiency in results. Managing workflow involves monitoring and reporting each task, focusing on the speed and smoothness of movement. Fast movement creates quick value, while smooth movement minimizes delays and makes the process more predictable. Developers following Kanban break down work into smaller chunks to complete tasks faster and facilitate better workflow.
• Empower Teams and Encourage Long-Term Thinking: Lean Kanban prioritizes empowerment at all levels—individual, team, and organizational. Empowerment fosters improvement and sustained growth, encouraging long-term thinking focused on sustainable growth and development rather than short-term gains.