Kanban is a popular agile methodology and a lean approach to managing work and processes. Its core principles revolve around visualizing work, limiting work in progress (WIP), and managing flow efficiently. Here are the core principles of Kanban:

1. Visualize the Work: Kanban emphasizes the use of visual boards to represent work items and their status. Typically, this involves using cards or sticky notes on a physical board or digital tools to create a visual representation of tasks, projects, or work items. The visual board should provide a clear and real-time view of what work is in progress, what is queued, and what is completed.
2. Limit Work in Progress (WIP): One of the key principles of Kanban is to set explicit limits on the number of work items that can be in progress at any given time. By doing so, teams ensure that they do not overburden themselves and maintain a steady and sustainable pace of work. WIP limits help prevent bottlenecks and encourage the completion of tasks before taking on new ones.
3. Manage Flow: Kanban is all about optimizing the flow of work through the system. This involves continuously monitoring and managing the movement of work items from one stage to the next. Teams aim to minimize delays, reduce cycle times, and ensure a smooth, efficient flow from request to delivery.
4. Make Process Policies Explicit: Kanban encourages teams to define and make explicit the policies and rules that govern the flow of work. This includes defining what constitutes “done” for each work item, how work items are prioritized, and what criteria trigger the movement of items between stages. This clarity helps in maintaining consistency and improving communication within the team.
5. Feedback Loops and Continuous Improvement: Kanban promotes a culture of continuous improvement. Teams regularly review their Kanban board and process to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and areas for improvement. These insights are used to make incremental changes and refine the process over time.
6. Focus on Customer Value: Kanban emphasizes delivering value to the customer as efficiently as possible. Teams should prioritize work based on customer needs and expectations, ensuring that the most valuable items are completed first.
7. Collaborative and Evolutionary Approach: Kanban encourages collaboration among team members and stakeholders. It also acknowledges that processes can evolve and improve over time based on data and feedback, rather than requiring a complete overhaul.
8. Respect Existing Roles and Responsibilities: Unlike some other agile methodologies, Kanban often respects existing roles and responsibilities within an organization. It doesn’t prescribe specific team structures or roles but rather focuses on improving the existing workflow and processes.

These core principles of Kanban help teams and organizations achieve greater efficiency, transparency, and flexibility in their work processes while continuously improving their ability to deliver value to customers. Kanban’s adaptability makes it applicable in various industries and contexts.