Kanban board

A map of the workflow

A Kanban board shows where work is and what can move next. Typical states might include ready, implementation, review, validation, and done, but the correct states depend on the team's actual process. Columns should represent meaningful policies, not every incidental action.

A concrete example

An illustrative board has a review column with a WIP limit of four. When the limit is reached, the team prioritizes reviewing existing items before pulling another implementation task. The visualization changes the next decision by making the queue visible.

Keep the board honest

Define entry and exit criteria, show blocked items, and review whether cards remain in a state after the work has moved elsewhere. A tidy board that omits waiting or non-code work can create false confidence.

Limitations

A board is a model, not the workflow itself. It can become stale, over-detailed, or optimized for reporting. Use it to support conversation and policy, then validate its picture against actual events.