Kanban Framework Template
Manage your workflow in a highly flexible and visual way with the Kanban Framework template. Optimize processes and improve your team’s efficiency.
About the Kanban Board Template
The Kanban method was created in the 1950s by Toyota Automotive employee Taiichi Ohno as a simple planning system to optimize production stages to keep up with American manufacturing (the gold standard at the time). However, it wasn’t until 2004 that David J. Anderson used the concept and applied it to IT and software. Now the Kanban framework is one of the most popular methodologies within Agile and LEAN.
What is the Kanban method?
Kanban is a popular method of LEAN workflow management valued for its real-time visualization of work capacity and full transparency of the work being done.
It consists of a timeline with tasks placed as cards, where you can see the task status, track progress, and address any bottlenecks or impediments.
When to use a Kanban board
Teams use Kanban boards to monitor the progress of work from start to finish. It’s a powerful way to display progress to yourself and cross-functional partners so that the behind-the-scenes nature of software development becomes visible. This Kanban template can be used to manage workflows and provide transparency across all stages of a project.
Benefits of using the Kanban method
Based on just-in-time manufacturing principles, Kanban helps your team reduce waste, anticipate bottlenecks and other issues, and collaborate on fixing them together.
The beauty (and power) of the Kanban method is that it’s a visual way to improve an organization's processes and can be used by anyone across any function.
Create your own Kanban board
Making your own Kanban board is easy with Miro’s ready-to-use template, the perfect canvas to create and share. Get started by selecting the Kanban template, then take the following steps to customize it according to your organization's needs.
1. Customize your Kanban board
You can label rows and columns according to your needs. David Anderson’s original method established that Kanban boards are divided into these:
visual signals
columns
work-in-progress limits
commitment point
delivery point
Some teams prefer to simplify these labels to only backlog, in progress, and done.
2. Add task cards
Start populating your Kanban board by adding Jira cards for each task or deliverable. Add tags or assign each Kanban card to an owner, and ask your team to write all backlog or in-progress projects in the appropriate column.
3. Get to work!
As steps are completed, make sure you move each card through your workflow so you can see your work pipeline from beginning to end. Be sure to check and update your Kanban board regularly so everyone can see the most up-to-date status of your tasks.
What columns should a Kanban board have?
A typical Kanban board has three columns: backlog, in progress, and done. Depending on your team’s needs, you can also add more swimlanes to have cross-functional teams collaborating all on one board.
Get started with this template right now.
5S Template
Works best for:
Strategy and Planning, Productivity
The 5S Template offers a systematic framework based on the renowned 5S methodology: Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain. Originally derived from Japanese manufacturing practices, this template provides clear directions to help teams optimize workspaces. A standout benefit of using this template is its capacity to drastically improve efficiency. Every resource and tool is positioned for maximum productivity by guiding users through decluttering and organizing, reducing time wastage, and enhancing overall workflow.
Meeting Reflection Template
Works best for:
Meetings, Brainstorming, Team Meetings
When schedules get hectic, “learning by doing” becomes the default way to learn. So make time for your team to learn in other valuable ways — by reflecting and listening. Led by “learners,” (team members who share with the rest of the team), a meeting reflection lets teammates share new information about a client’s business or an internal business initiative, offer problem-solving techniques, or even recommend books or podcasts worth checking out. Meeting reflections also encourage colleagues at all levels to engage in each other’s professional development of their teammates.
Monthly Planner Template
Works best for:
Operations, Strategic Planning, Project Planning
To knock out every task and accomplish every goal for the month, it helps to take a big picture, 10,000 foot view of things—meaning a 30-day view. That’s why a monthly calendar can come in so handy, especially on bigger projects. Use our template to create a visual representation that helps you track and space out every deadline and to-do, both for individuals and full teams. You’ll even be able to customize it your way, with images, video, and sticky notes.
Product Canvas Template
Works best for:
Desk Research, UX Design
Product canvases are a concise yet content-rich tool that conveys what your product is and how it is strategically positioned. Combining Agile and UX, a project canvas complements user stories with personas, storyboards, scenarios, design sketches, and other UX artefacts. Product canvases are useful because they help product managers define a prototype. Creating a product canvas is an important first step in deciding who potential users may be, the problem to be solved, basic product functionality, advanced functionalities worth exploring, competitive advantage, and customers’ potential gain from the product.
BCG Matrix Template
Works best for:
Strategic Planning
Use the BCG matrix template to make informed and strategic decisions about growth opportunities for your business. Assign your portfolio of products to different areas within the matrix (cash cows, dogs, question marks, stars) to prioritize where you should invest your time and money to see the best results.
Cross Functional Flowchart
Works best for:
Org Charts, Business Management
Have a quick look at everyone on a project and see exactly what they’ll contribute. That’s the clarity and transparency a cross-functional flowchart will give you. These are also called “swim lane” flowcharts because each person (each customer, client, or representative from a specific function) is assigned a lane—a clear line—that will help you visualize their roles at each stage of the project. This template will empower you to streamline processes, reduce inefficiencies, and make meaningful cross-functional relationships.