David J. Anderson and the Kanban Method
David J. Anderson turned Kanban from a factory tool into a method for knowledge work. Learn how the Kanban Method began, what his book teaches, the principles and practices, and how to introduce it with STATIK.
Quick answer: David J. Anderson created the Kanban Method for knowledge work, first applying pull and WIP limits at Microsoft in 2004 and refining the approach at Corbis in 2006–2007. His 2010 book Kanban: Successful Evolutionary Change for Your Technology Business describes the method: start with what you do now, visualise work, limit WIP, manage flow, make policies explicit, add feedback loops and improve collaboratively.
1. Key Takeaways
- David J. Anderson adapted Kanban for software and knowledge work.
- The method began at Microsoft (2004) and took shape at Corbis (2006–07).
- His book Kanban (2010) is the foundation of the Kanban Method.
- Six practices: visualise, limit WIP, manage flow, explicit policies, feedback loops, improve collaboratively.
- STATIK is his step-by-step way to introduce Kanban.
2. Who Is David J. Anderson?
David J. Anderson is a management consultant and author who developed the Kanban Method for knowledge work and founded Kanban University (formerly Lean Kanban University).
He worked on software teams at companies including Microsoft and Corbis, wrote Agile Management for Software Engineering (2003) and Kanban (2010), and later co-authored Essential Kanban Condensed and the Kanban Maturity Model.
3. The History of the Kanban Method
The Kanban Method grew from a pull system at Microsoft in 2004 into a full method at Corbis by 2007, and was published in 2010.
4. Anderson’s Kanban Book
Kanban: Successful Evolutionary Change for Your Technology Business (2010), known as the “blue book”, is David Anderson’s main work on the Kanban Method.
It explains why limiting WIP improves flow, how to map a workflow, how to set WIP limits and classes of service, and how Kanban creates a culture of continuous improvement – with the Microsoft and Corbis case studies.
5. Kanban Method Principles and Practices
The Kanban Method combines change management principles with six general practices.
Put the six practices on your board
Colour-coded lists, cards with images, checklists and due dates – on Android, iPhone, tablet and desktop.
Free to use
6. Introducing Kanban with STATIK
STATIK – the Systems Thinking Approach to Introducing Kanban – is Anderson’s step-by-step way to design a Kanban system around a real service.
- Understand what makes the service fit for purpose. Talk to customers; find dissatisfaction.
- Analyse demand and capability. What arrives, and how fast you deliver.
- Model the workflow. Map knowledge-discovery steps into columns.
- Discover classes of service. Expedite, fixed date, standard, intangible.
- Design the Kanban system. Board, WIP limits, policies, cadences.
- Roll out. Socialise the design and start – then keep evolving.
7. Kanban Cadences
The Kanban Method uses regular meetings, called cadences, as feedback loops – from the daily Kanban meeting to the quarterly strategy review.
8. Kanban Method Boards in PlanBoards
Here are three boards that apply the Kanban Method, built in PlanBoards.
Introducing the Kanban Method – STATIK
Understand, Analyse, Design and Roll Out – the STATIK steps as a board.
Service delivery with classes of service
Expedite, Committed, In Progress (WIP 4) and Delivered – with expedite, fixed date, standard and intangible cards.
Kanban Method study plan
Read, Learn, Apply (WIP 2) and Done – for learning the method yourself.
9. FAQ
These are the questions people ask about David J. Anderson and the Kanban Method.
Who invented the Kanban Method?
David J. Anderson developed the Kanban Method for knowledge work, based on lean and Toyota’s Kanban system.
What is David Anderson’s Kanban book called?
Kanban: Successful Evolutionary Change for Your Technology Business, published in 2010.
What are the Kanban Method practices?
Visualise the work, limit WIP, manage flow, make policies explicit, implement feedback loops, and improve collaboratively, evolve experimentally.
What is STATIK?
The Systems Thinking Approach to Introducing Kanban – a sequence of steps for designing a Kanban system around a service.
What is Kanban University?
The organisation founded by David Anderson that trains and certifies Kanban practitioners, formerly Lean Kanban University.
Is the Kanban Method the same as a Kanban board?
No. A board is one tool; the Kanban Method is a full approach with principles, practices and cadences.
Can I apply the Kanban Method in PlanBoards?
Yes – columns, WIP limits, colour labels for classes of service and checklists for policies, free to use.
10. Sources and Further Reading
These are the sources behind this guide.
- David J. Anderson (2010). Kanban: Successful Evolutionary Change for Your Technology Business. Blue Hole Press.
- David J. Anderson & Andy Carmichael (2016). Essential Kanban Condensed. Lean Kanban University Press.
- Kanban University. The Kanban Method.
- Wikipedia: Kanban (development)
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Start with what you do now.
Android, iPhone, tablet and desktop.
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