Kanban board column + WIP-limit setup
Configure a visual pipeline with explicit work-in-progress caps so your team finishes before starting new work.
Steps
- 1
Define columns
Start with Backlog, Ready, In Progress, Review, Done. Each column represents a stage in your workflow.
- 2
Set WIP limits
Cap In Progress at 3 items and Review at 2. The constraint forces the team to swarm on blockers instead of starting new work.
- 3
Establish pull flow
Work is pulled rightward only when the downstream column has capacity. Never push — let the bottleneck signal demand.
- 4
Visualize violations
Highlight columns that exceed their WIP limit in red. Make the constraint impossible to ignore during stand-ups.
Why this works
WIP limits expose bottlenecks immediately. When Review hits its cap, the team must swarm on reviews instead of opening new PRs. Cycle time drops because items spend less time waiting.