Introduction to Kanban

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In this article, you will learn how to create a kanban board, configure it, and use it daily for effective project management.


Kanban is a production management tool known as a "just-in-time" system.

When is Kanban used?

There are several types of use cases for Kanban. In general, this tool proves to be effective when dealing with requests that arrive in an unpredictable manner.

For example:

  • A support team that needs to fix bugs.

  • A production line that has to fulfill orders.

  • Anyone who needs to track or complete tasks.

Activate the “Kanban” service

Create a kanban

Information

A tracker can only be used for a single Kanban. Therefore, if a Kanban is already based on a tracker, it will not be possible to create another one using the same tracker.

Create cards in a kanban

Each card in a kanban board represents a task. You may choose to add additional information (details, assignee, task type, etc.), but a title is mandatory.

Once the cards are created, you can use drag and drop to move them from left to right, right to left, top to bottom, and bottom to top. This will make up the majority of your daily actions on your kanban board.

Edit artifact information from the cards

You can update your artifact’s information either from the quick-edit tab by left-clicking its ID#, or from its full edit page by right-clicking its ID#, depending on your preferences and needs.

You can find your artifact’s ID# right here:

Kanban board displaying various bug reports in different stages of progress.

With a left-click, you open the quick-edit popup:

Bug report details including artifact ID, submission, and update information.

With a right-click, you can open the artifact’s full view in a new tab to update it:

Bug tracking interface displaying details for Bug #411686, including status and submission information.

Configure a Kanban

When viewing a Kanban board, you will find four available action buttons.

Kanban board displaying bugs in various stages of progress and options to add new bugs.

+Add new "tracker name”

This button lets you create a new artifact from your kanban. Its name changes depending on the name of the tracker it is linked to.

Edit a kanban

Thanks to this button, you have access to various customizations for your Kanban:

  • Kanban label: You can choose to rename your Kanban.

  • “Is promoted”: Allows you to add a shortcut to this Kanban directly in your Tuleap menu under the “Kanban” shortcut itself.

  • Columns configuration: Offers the ability to change the names and order of the columns.

  • Tracker report filters: Lets you add filters that have already been created in your Kanban tracker settings.

  • Danger zone: Option to permanently delete the Kanban.

Warning

Deletion is permanent, and you will need to recreate the Kanban with all its settings if you want to use it again.

Show reports

You can display data from your report over a selected period (last 7 days, last 3 months, last 6 months, last year).

Cumulative flow chart displaying bug report statuses over the last seven days.

Add to dashboard

From this button, you can add this Kanban directly to your project dashboard and/or your personal dashboard.

Kanban board displaying various bug reports and options to add to the dashboard.

Displaying card information

You can choose to view the cards in your Kanban in either a condensed format or a detailed format. It’s up to you to decide which is most suitable in terms of the desired level of readability for your artifacts.