PODCAST · business
Kanban Lab
by Orod Semsarzadeh & Soma Mazumder
In each episode, we'll pick a common question and dive into a different aspect of Kanban, exploring its principles, practices, and applications and answering that question.Our goal in this podcast is to demystify Kanban and help listeners understand how it can benefit their teams and organisations through addressing the common misconceptions, clarifying concepts and answering questions about Kanban.
Episodes
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S2 E38 Kanban is (not) disciplined – Busting the No-Planning Myth
🎙️ In this episode of Kanban Lab, Soma and Orod tackle another common myth: that Kanban isn’t disciplined because it lacks planning. They explain how Kanban actually promotes continuous, thoughtful planning through regular and on-demand replenishment. Work is pulled when the team has capacity…
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S2 E37 Kanban does (not) support change
This week, Soma and Orod unpack a common myth: Kanban doesn’t support change.In reality, change is at the heart of Kanban. In this episode, they explore how Kanban takes an evolutionary approach to change, introducing improvements gradually, guided by problems, dissatisfaction (STATIK), and...
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S2 E36 Why Workflow Matters More Than You Think
This week on Kanban Lab, Soma and Orod explore the real value of having a clear workflow. Orod shares a recent client story that highlights how even a simple workflow can improve visibility, reduce overhead, boost collaboration, and help teams focus on what really matters. If you're still using...
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S2 E35 Kanban does (not) work, for large teams
In this episode, Soma and Orod bust another common myth: Kanban doesn’t work for large teams.They share real examples of using Kanban with teams of 20+ people and explain how Kanban doesn’t prescribe team size. Instead, it helps you see problems and use its principles to improve collaboration,...
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S2 E34: Stop Tracking Tasks, Use Workflow to Track Progress!
Many teams track progress using tasks, but is that the best approach? In this episode, Soma and Orod discuss how workflows helped one of Orod’s clients track progress more effectively. They explore the benefits of a simple workflow—reducing admin work, improving collaboration, identifying...
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S2 E33 Kanban does (not) work for teams with unstable workflow
Many believe Kanban only works for teams with a stable workflow, but is that true? In this episode, Soma and Orod break down this misconception and explain that not all work has to follow the same workflow. They share insights on how to design a Kanban board that adapts to different types of work...
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S2 E32 Is Kanban suitable for product development (or Not)
n this episode of Kanban Lab, Soma and Orod address the misconception that Kanban is only for manufacturing or operations. They explore the origins of the Kanban System in Toyota manufacturing and share their experiences showing how Kanban principles make it highly effective for product...
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S2E31 Kanban does (not) have feedback loop
This time, Soma and Orod tackle another common misconception: that Kanban doesn’t have feedback loops, unlike Scrum which has Sprint review, retro. In reality, Kanban encourages continuous feedback and offers various types of feedback loops tailored to the maturity and needs of your team and...
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S2E30 - Kanban can (not) help with product vision
In this episode of Kanban Lab, Soma and Orod tackle another common misconception about Kanban: "the idea that it doesn't involve planning sessions and can't support a long-term vision". They discuss how Kanban encourages continuous planning and replenishment and provides tools and principles to...
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S2E9 - Kanban has (no) metric
Soma and Orod have just released another episode of Kanban Lab, where we tackle another common Kanban myth: "Kanban has no metrics." In this episode, we dive into Kanban's scientific, hypothesis-driven, and evolutionary change method, exploring how metrics play a crucial role in supporting...
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S2E8 - how to manage deadline-driven backlog and deliver with confidence using Kanban!
In the latest episode of Kanban Lab, someone asks Soma, "What should I do when we have a backlog of work with hard deadlines?" Orod and Soma discuss Kanban’s Classes of Service, focusing on the Fixed Date class to help prioritize time-sensitive tasks. They also dive into the Lead-Time…
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S2E7 - How STATIK can be used to create team working agreement?
In this episode of Kanban Lab, Orod and Soma explore how the STATIK (Systems Thinking Approach to Introducing Kanban) method can be applied to create a meaningful team working agreement. They explain how STATIK encourages teams to focus on identifying the right problems first, agree on how to...
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S2E6 - Kanban Workflows vs. Waterfall Phases. Are they the same?
Many people see a Kanban workflow and think it's just like Waterfall, believing it doesn't improve agility. In this episode, Soma and Orod explain how Kanban workflows actually represent a series of knowledge discovery activities that visualize how work flows through a system (whether in an...
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S2E5 - Kanban is (NOT) just a board
In this episode, Orod shares a conversation with a senior manager who suggested that showing the Kanban board is enough for training. Orod and Soma discuss why not every board is a Kanban board and explain how a true Kanban board should send signals about team capacity, enabling a pull system…
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S2E4 Kanban has no estimation, we can't have a roadmap
Recently, Soma spoke with a product manager who believed that Kanban doesn't support estimation and, therefore, roadmaps can't be created. In this episode, Orod and Soma clarify this misconception. They explain that Kanban neither prescribes nor prohibits estimation. In fact, by using the Lead…
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S2E3 Scaling Kanban, Start with what you have. Interview with Daniel Ploeg
Join our hosts Orod and Soma as they sit down with Daniel Ploeg, a well-known figure in the Australian Kanban community, for an insightful conversation on scaling Kanban. Dan shares his experiences and emphasises the importance of starting with what you have. Whether you're just beginning your...
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S2E2: Myth: Kanban does prescribe new roles and responsibilities
Have you ever heard someone say that Kanban has roles like 'Flow Manager'? In this episode, Soma and Orod discuss another common myth about Kanban: that it has prescribed roles and responsibilities. They clarify why Kanban doesn't have any predefined roles and explore real-life scenarios and...
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S2E1: Kanban can not deliver within 2 weeks so scrum is better
In this episode, Soma and Orod discuss about another Kanban Myth, whether Kanban can deliver results within a two-week timeframe. Drawing from their own experiences, they explore how Kanban operates with SLAs and compare this to the two-week time-boxed events in Scrum.4o
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S1E35 - There’s no commitment in Kanban Method
A common concern that people has is that Kanban does not have a commitment point! In this episode, Orod and Soma clarified that not only Kanban has a commitment point, but also this a crucial element in designing an effective Kanban System.
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S1E34 Kanban can't be used for Quarterly planning
It's a frequent challenge for large organisations with multiple teams collaborating on extensive projects to strategise on a quarterly basis. Many assert that Kanban isn't suitable for such planning endeavours. In this episode, Soma and Orod delve into this contentious issue. Orod shares his...
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S1E33 Kanban Principles #6: Regularly review the network and its policies to improve outcomes
The latest episode of our Kanban principles series has just been released on both Podcast and YouTube platforms. In the Kanban Method, we perceive organisations as dynamic entities, with the connections between its components constantly evolving over time, along with our policies and agreements.…
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S1E32 Kanban Principles #5 Manage the work; let works to self-organise around it
In traditional management, the emphasis lies on overseeing individuals, monitoring their activities, and frequently reassigning them, all with the aim of optimising their utilisation. However, it's widely recognized that mere busyness doesn't necessarily translate to increased productivity. In…
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S1E31 Kanban Principles #4: Understand and focus on the customer's needs and expectations
In this episode Soma and Orod talked about the first Kanban Service Delivery Principles and this principle: - Who are your customers? - What are the desires and preferences of your customers? - When do they expect their needs to be met? - What standards of quality do they anticipate?
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S1E30 Kanban Principles #3: Encourage acts of leadership at all levels
Tune in to the latest episode of Kanban Lab where Soma and Orod explore Kanban's third change management principle: encouraging leadership at all levels. They discuss how leadership extends beyond top-level roles, emphasising the importance of empowering every individual in an organisation to…
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S1E29 Kanban Principles #2: Gain agreement to pursue improvement through evolutionary change
In this episode, Orod and Soma deep dive into the second principle of Change management, which says, "Gain agreement to pursue improvement through evolutionary change," emphasizes the importance of obtaining consensus among the team members and stakeholders regarding the need for continuous...
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S1E28 Kanban Principles #1: Start from what you do now
In the opening episode of our six-part series, Soma and Orod delve into the fundamental principles of Kanban Change Management and Kanban Service Delivery. We kick off by explaining the cornerstone principle: 'Start with what you do now.' Understanding the current process lays the groundwork for...
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S1E27 How to improve team performance with Lead Time
In this episode of Kanban Lab, where our dynamic hosts, Soma Mazumder and Orod Semsarzadeh, dive deep into the world of Lead Time and its transformative impact on team performance, predictability, and customer satisfaction. 📈 Exploring Lead Time Distribution Charts: In this episode, our hosts…
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S1E26 How to measure team performance?
In this episode, join Orod and Soma as they delve into the pivotal realm of measuring team performance. Unravelling the mysteries surrounding this common query, our hosts spotlight Lead Time as the key metric in Kanban. Tune in to discover not only how to measure it effectively but also how...
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S1E25 Expedite is (NOT) evil
Many people perceive the Expedite swimlane as problematic, often labelling it as 'evil' due to its tendency to expedite everything. In this episode, Orod and Soma delve into the concept of Expedite, shedding light on how your system performs. If you've got too many rushed tasks, it means your...
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S1E24 - What is the right WIP limit?
People frequently ask about the ideal WIP limit, suggesting that one work per person is the standard. In this episode, Orod and Soma delve into the significance of WIP limits, how they can help improve the flow, and explore various approaches to determine the optimal number of works in progress.
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S1E23 How to visualise your Blocked items
It's common for work items to face obstacles for various reasons, and numerous individuals have suggested to Orod the idea of featuring these blocked items in a distinct column on the workflow. In this episode, Soma and Orod discuss visualising these blocked items effectively. To address and...
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S1E17 Unlocking Evolution with Kanban: Exploring the Kanban Maturity Model (KMM) with Anna Radzikowska
Most people know fundamental Kanban practices such as WIP limits, visualization, and managing flow. However, what remains less widespread is the recognition of Kanban as an evolutionary change methodology. In this episode, Orod and Soma engaged in an enlightening conversation with Anna…
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S1E22 - Exploring Kanban from Right to Left: A Thoughtful Conversation with Mike Burrows
In this episode, join Some and Orod as they engage in a thought-provoking conversation with the remarkable Mike Burrows, the visionary founder of Agendashift Academy and the author of "Kanban from the Inside." 📚 A true inspiration in Kanban training, Mike graciously shares his extensive…
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S1E21 Kanban is "NOT just" a scheduling system
Soma came across a LinkedIn post where someone asserted that Kanban is simply a scheduling system. In this episode, Orod and Soma delved into the question of whether Kanban is just a scheduling tool that serves as a reminder for project deadlines. They explore how Kanban goes beyond mere…
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S1E20 Kanban is too difficult
During a recent conversation, someone told Orod their perception that Kanban is too difficult. In this episode, Soma and Orod delve into the reasons behind the common belief that Kanban is too complex. Orod underscores that, at times, we tend to overly complicate things, even something as...
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S1E19 Kanban increases people utilisation
Kanban is often misunderstood as a method only focused on increasing people's utilisation, but this belief is just one of the misconceptions surrounding Kanban. In this episode, Soma and Orod delve into three essential Kanban practices: setting Work in Progress (WIP) limits, visualising work, and...
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S1E18 Kanban needs Story Point
Are Story Points a crucial element in Kanban method? Join us on the latest episode of the Kanban Lab, where hosts Orod and Soma delve deep into the ongoing debate: "Does Kanban need Story Points?" In this episode, Soma revisits the definition of Story Points and the role they play in improving...
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S1E16 Kanban without Kanban Board
Last week, Chris asked Soma if teams and organizations could practice Kanban without using a Kanban board. In this episode, Orod and Soma discuss a fundamental Kanban practice: visualization. They emphasize that, depending on your situation, you don't always need intricate workflow stages…
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S1E15 Comparing Kanban Replenishment Meetings and Sprint Planning: Key Differences and Best Practice
Soma and Chris discussed the distinctions between Sprint planning and Kanban replenishment. In their conversation, Orod and Soma clarified that both Sprint planning and Kanban replenishment aim to commit to work and set expectations for customers. The key difference is that Sprint planning occurs...
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S1E14 Kanban is an Agile framework?
Last week, Orod noticed a viral post claiming that Kanban isn't an Agile framework. In this episode, Orod and Soma chat about whether Kanban is genuinely an Agile framework, and if this difference really matters.
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S1E13_Crafting effective Policies for new teams in Kanban
Soma had a thoughtful talk with his husband about making policies (rules) for their team, especially since they're new to the Kanban method. In their talk, Orod and Soma focused on an important part of Kanban: making policies explicit. They talked about making policies that matter based on their...
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S1E12_Can we use Scrum with Kanban?
In a recent conversation, someone asked Soma about using Kanban alongside Scrum. In discussion with Orod, they explored how incorporating Kanban practices can enhance Scrum. They highlighted how Kanban board are now becoming integral to Scrum teams, fostering better efficiency and collaboration....
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S1E11_How to introduce Kanban to Agile coaching community
Empowering Agile Coaches through Continuous Learning and Kanban Mastery In the world of Agile coaching, the pursuit of knowledge and continuous improvement is essential for staying ahead of the game. However, it's not uncommon to encounter coaches who may be hesitant to explore Kanban, often…
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S1E10_Understanding Upstream Kanban and Customer Lead Time
Teams and organizations often fall into the trap of committing to deliver customer requests immediately without conducting proper analysis. As a result, they face long lead times and spend more than anticipated. In our recent episode, Some and Orod had an enlightening conversation with Andre…
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S1E9_We are doing Scrumban
Many people have told Soma that they use Scrumban, which they believe is a framework that combines Scrum and Kanban practices. In this episode, Orod and Soma discuss Scrumban. They explore the origins of Scrumban, its name coined by Corey Ladas, and why it was initially called Scrumban. They...
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S1E8_Kanban is just a board, and nothing else
A lot of people told Orod that Kanban is just a simple board and there's nothing more to it. But in this episode, Orod and Soma explain that the Kanban board is actually quite different. It's not just a regular board, but a big wall filled with cards. The purpose of the Kanban board is to let you...
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S1E7_We are self selecting, we are already having a pull system
Organisations often misunderstand the Pull System, mistakenly believing that it grants team members the freedom to choose any work they desire or feel most comfortable with. In this episode, Soma and Orod discuss the "Pull System" and designing a Kanban system for effective signalling. They...
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S1E6_We are already doing Kanban, are you?
It's quite common for teams to mistakenly assume that they are practising Kanban simply because they have a visual representation of their work on a big wall. In this episode, Soma and Orod delved into the true essence of Kanban. They revisited the definition and meaning of Kanban, which is…
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S1E5_Scrum doesn't work for us, let's do Kanban
Soma expressed her recurring encounter with individuals stating that Scrum doesn't work and let's do Kanban. In this enlightening episode, we delved into the realm of Kanban's evolutionary change management and explored how its principles and practices can significantly enhance team and...
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S1E4_Kanban works best for Operations, not Projects
In this episode, Orod addresses a common misconception among his Kanban students who believe that Kanban is only suitable for operations and not for projects. We emphasise that Kanban is a versatile method that can effectively manage both knowledge work in operations and projects. By examining…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
In each episode, we'll pick a common question and dive into a different aspect of Kanban, exploring its principles, practices, and applications and answering that question.Our goal in this podcast is to demystify Kanban and help listeners understand how it can benefit their teams and organisations through addressing the common misconceptions, clarifying concepts and answering questions about Kanban.
HOSTED BY
Orod Semsarzadeh & Soma Mazumder
CATEGORIES
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