Kanban India 2023 www.kanbanindia.org

1. tips & tricks
Deliver MVV from
your Kanban system…
1
Sudipta Lahiri,
Head of Engineering and Products
Nimblework

2. About
Founded 20+ years back, HQ in Cupertino, CA
• Offices in Americas, Europe, APAC; 1M+ licenses
Focus: Global Project & Program Delivery
• Drive Productivity with Engagement
• AI Driven to improve Efficiency
• Strategy to Execution to Value Realization
• Waterfall to Hybrid to Agile Delivery Models
• Covered in the Gartner EAP MQ for the last 3yrs
50K+ Projects
$ 30 Billion+

3. We are what we are for them…
3

4. Shallow Kanban Implementations…
Most folks implement a Kanban Board
In some cases, a Task Board
They believe they are doing Kanban
Why this talk?
A low-maturity Kanban implementation can
make tremendous impact!
We don’t need to jump to everything that the
Method teaches us from day one.
You are almost sure to falter if you try that
Intellectually stimulating != Successful Execution
Recognize that most people want to get the
job done
Anything that comes in the way is not welcome!
We will cover the low hanging fruits…
… that most likely will give a good bang for
the buck!
This session assumes understanding of the
Kanban Method/Terms
If I lost you, please do reach out to me!

5. Let’s begin with the
process part…
5

6. Use STATIK
TIP # 1
Don’t just build a Kanban board without any analysis
Use a structured approach to define your Kanban system
Do it with the team to get their buy-in!

8. Upstream vs Downstream
TIP # 2
From an option (Upstream) to a commitment (Downstream)
Drop off liberally from Upstream; Try not to drop off from Downstream
(Less clearly stated) One of the Objectives of Upstream
should be to remove impediments for Downstream

9. Upstream vs Downstream: Pitfalls
TIP # 2
Move from your Task Board to a VS
Avoid a longish VS (approx. more
than 10 stages)
STATIK will, often, suggest
different VS for different work
types
Understand where to put your
buffer lanes
Understand where to put your
WIP limits (you can avoid it)
20-30% capacity to upstream

10. Upstream vs Downstream
TIP # 2
Sample Upstream
Get completely clarity in this zone of
what needs to be done!
Size and break into smaller
items, if needed

11. Upstream vs Downstream
TIP # 2
Sample Downstream

12. Upstream vs Downstream
TIP # 2
All processes may not have an Upstream vs
Downstream
Any process where there is a drop off in every stage
PreSales/Sales process OR Recruitment process

13. Enforce User WIP
TIP # 3
Ignore Process WIP; 99% don’t enforce it…
Improve your Flow (Flow Efficiency/CFD) with User WIP
In 6-9 months, evaluate Process WIP
Default 3 (if you are wondering) from my own
experience

14. Card Aging
TIP # 4
Check slippage at each column level => rolls to the card level
Improve your Flow (Flow Efficiency/CFD)
Define thresholds to begin with based on your judgement
After 6 months, use the 50% and the 90% cut-off from the CT
Distribution chart
90% = 21 days
50% = 8 days

15. TIP # 5
Diligently
Block cards /
Do RCA

16. Do meaningful Retros
TIP # 6
Blocker analysis
Downstream dropped card analysis
Where did you change priorities
Builds Flow Debt
Should be part of your Blocker
Use a tool…
nimblework.com/products/nimble-retro/
Focus on your circle of influence
Action Items must be on the Board
Revisit every week
Schedule a call just for this!

17. Let’s focus on the
individual…
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18. Humanizing Work…
TIP # 7
The individual has not got a fair deal
over the years…
Get back to the basics…

19. TIP # 7
Humanizing Work…

20. TIP # 7
Humanizing Work…

21. TIP # 7
Humanizing Work…

22. Send a Kudo…
• Positive reinforcement can
go a long way….
• Happy frame of mind adds
to higher creativity and
productivity.
• Kudos are a fun and easy
way to thank individuals
and Teams

23. Welcome a new team member…
• Make them feel a part of
the team
• Gig economy is only here
to stay!

24. Celebrate someone’s milestone…
24
• We are all struggling for
time… let’s celebrate that
accomplishment!

25. Celebrate a team/company event
• Amplify the moments
when we are together;
reinforce those happy
moments!

26. 26
An occasional
motivation quote can
only help!

27. Humanizing Work…
TIP # 7
We saw some use cases from a tool
perspective…
Inspect => Adapt => Improvise
Each team, middle management +
leadership, focus back on the individual
This is NOT a HR responsibility; It is a LINE responsibility

28. If you are doing
software
development…
28

29. TIP # 8
8.1 Story definition as per INVEST
Won’t work otherwise!
8.2. AUTOMATE everything
TDD is too ambitious unless you start with freshers
8.3. Stop estimating
What is prioritized, has to be done
If you must, relative size with proper audited cards

30. IN CLOSING…
Increase Value from your Kanban system with the basics!
Do not attempt to implement all the fancy stuff we teach
It takes time and patience to get there
I have shared my 8 tips to give you an
New teams for new projects must start from Step One!
Humanize work: get focus back on the individual!