This document discusses Torchbox's implementation of a multi-client Kanban system. Torchbox is a web agency that provides digital services like websites, marketing, and applications using Drupal. They implemented a Kanban board with rows for different clients to help manage work across projects. Each client was given a work-in-progress limit to prevent bottlenecks. The board uses tokens to indicate task ownership and requests for help. Since implementing this system, Torchbox has seen improved quality, financial performance, team cohesion, and broader adoption of Kanban practices.

1. L E A N
K A N B A N
U K
Multi-client Kanban
Edward Kay
Head of Production, Torchbox
edward.kay@torchbox.com
@edwardkay

2. L E A N
K A N B A N
U K
Who are Torchbox?
Web agency
Digital stuff for the good guys
Animation – digital marketing – web applications
Content-managed sites with Drupal

4. L E A N
K A N B A N
U K
Challenges
http://www.flickr.com/photos/micsten/245266318/

5. L E A N
K A N B A N
U K
What we’ve done
Collaborative improvement

6. L E A N
K A N B A N
U K
Starting point
Backlog
Planning
Ready
Developing
Acceptance

7. L E A N
K A N B A N
U K
Starting point
Backlog
Planning
Ready
Developing
Acceptance

8. L E A N
K A N B A N
U K
Rows for clients
Backlog
Planning
Ready
Developing
Acceptance

9. L E A N
K A N B A N
U K
Client WIP limits
Backlog
Planning
Ready
Developing
Acceptance

10. L E A N
K A N B A N
U K
Current owner tokens
Backlog
Planning
C
Ready
Developing
Acceptance
C
C
C
C
C
C
C

11. L E A N
K A N B A N
U K
Current owner tokens
Backlog
Planning
C
Ready
Developing
Acceptance
C
C
C
C
C
C
C

12. L E A N
K A N B A N
U K
Help tokens
Backlog
Planning
C
Ready
Developing
Acceptance
C
C
C
C
C
C
HELP!
C

14. L E A N
K A N B A N
Outcomes
Improved quality
Better financials
Team cohesion
Broader adoption of Kanban
U K

15. L E A N
K A N B A N
U K
Next steps
http://www.flickr.com/photos/b-tal/3419761761/

16. edward.kay@torchbox.com
@edwardkay