Kanban is one of the most popular Agile methodologies, helping teams visualize workflows, limit work-in-progress (WIP), and optimize efficiency. Whether you’re interviewing for a Scrum Master, Agile Coach, or Project Manager role, understanding Kanban is crucial.
This guide covers 50+ Kanban interview questions, including:
✅ Kanban Principles & Core Concepts
✅ Workflow & Metrics
✅ Implementation & Best Practices
✅ Real-World Kanban Scenarios
Let’s dive in!
Kanban Principles & Core Concepts
1. What is Kanban?
Kanban is a visual workflow management system that helps teams:
✔️ Visualize work
✔️ Limit work-in-progress (WIP)
✔️ Improve efficiency
✔️ Continuously improve (Kaizen)
2. What are the 4 principles of Kanban?
- Start with what you do now (No drastic changes)
- Agree to pursue incremental change (Evolutionary, not revolutionary)
- Respect current roles & responsibilities
- Encourage leadership at all levels
3. What are the 5 elements of Kanban?
- Visual Board (Columns: To Do, In Progress, Done)
- Work Items (Cards)
- Work-in-Progress (WIP) Limits
- Explicit Policies (Definition of Done)
- Feedback Loops (Daily standups, retrospectives)
4. What are the six rules of Kanban?
- Never pass defects downstream
- Take only what you need (Pull system)
- Produce only what is needed
- Level the workload (Heijunka)
- Fine-tune processes continuously
- Stabilize & improve workflow
5. How does Kanban differ from Scrum?
| Kanban | Scrum |
|---|---|
| Continuous flow | Time-boxed sprints |
| No fixed roles | Roles (SM, PO, Dev Team) |
| Flexible priorities | Sprint backlog fixed |
| Focus on cycle time | Focus on velocity |
Kanban Workflow & Metrics
6. What is a Kanban board?
A visual tool with columns representing workflow stages (e.g., To Do → In Progress → Done).
7. What are WIP limits, and why are they important?
- WIP limits restrict how many tasks can be in progress at once.
- Benefits:
✔️ Prevents bottlenecks
✔️ Reduces multitasking
✔️ Improves focus & throughput
8. What is cycle time vs. lead time?
- Cycle Time: Time taken to complete a task once work starts.
- Lead Time: Total time from request to delivery.
9. How do you measure Kanban success?
Key metrics:
✔ Cycle Time (Lower = Better)
✔ Throughput (Tasks completed per week)
✔ Work Item Age (Avoid stale tasks)
✔ Blocked Items (Identify bottlenecks)
10. What is a cumulative flow diagram (CFD)?
A visual chart showing work status over time, helping identify bottlenecks.
Kanban Implementation & Best Practices
11. What are the 5 steps of Kanban implementation?
- Visualize the workflow (Kanban board)
- Limit WIP (Set max tasks per column)
- Manage flow (Optimize task movement)
- Make policies explicit (Definition of Done)
- Improve continuously (Kaizen)
12. How do you handle blocked items in Kanban?
- Visualize blockers (Red sticky notes)
- Address root causes (Fix process gaps)
- Swarm to resolve (Team collaboration)
13. What is a pull system in Kanban?
Work is pulled into the next stage only when capacity is available (vs. push systems).
14. How do you prioritize work in Kanban?
- Class of Service (Expedite, Fixed Date, Standard, Intangible)
- Cost of Delay (High-impact tasks first)
15. How do you scale Kanban for large teams?
- Use a Portfolio Kanban (High-level view)
- Implement SAFe Kanban (For Agile at scale)
- Sync with Scrum of Scrums (Hybrid approach)
Real-World Kanban Scenarios
16. How would you improve a slow-moving Kanban team?
- Analyze CFD for bottlenecks
- Adjust WIP limits
- Reduce task sizes (Smaller batches)
- Remove non-value-added steps
17. A task is stuck in “In Progress” for weeks. What do you do?
- Root cause analysis (Why is it stuck?)
- Break it into sub-tasks
- Re-prioritize or escalate
18. How do you introduce Kanban to a resistant team?
- Start small (Pilot with one team)
- Show quick wins (Faster cycle time)
- Train & involve the team in setup
19. How does Kanban work in non-IT industries?
Examples:
✔ Healthcare: Patient flow management
✔ Manufacturing: Inventory control
✔ Marketing: Campaign tracking
20. How do you handle urgent tasks in Kanban?
- Expedite lane (High-priority bypass)
- Swarming (Entire team focuses on it)
- Adjust WIP dynamically
People Also Ask (FAQs)
Q1. What are the 4 principles of Kanban?
- Start with current processes
- Pursue incremental change
- Respect existing roles
- Encourage leadership at all levels
Q2. What are the 5 elements of Kanban?
- Visual Board
- Work Items
- WIP Limits
- Explicit Policies
- Feedback Loops
Q3. What are the six rules of Kanban?
- No defects downstream
- Take only what’s needed
- Produce only what’s needed
- Level the workload
- Improve continuously
- Stabilize workflow
Q4. What are the 5 steps of Kanban implementation?
- Visualize workflow
- Limit WIP
- Manage flow
- Make policies clear
- Improve continuously
Q5. Can Kanban and Scrum be used together?
Yes! Scrumban combines:
✔ Scrum roles & ceremonies
✔ Kanban visualization & WIP limits
Conclusion: How to Ace Your Kanban Interview
- Master core concepts (WIP, flow metrics)
- Prepare real-world examples (Process improvements)
- Compare Kanban vs. Scrum (Know the differences)
- Ask smart questions (Show engagement)
🚀 Pro Tip: Bring a sample Kanban board (physical or digital) to showcase hands-on experience.