What is Kanban and why do organizations use it?

Kanban, one of the oldest frameworks in agile development, remains popular due to its simplicity and flexibility in visualizing work processes, which enhances transparency and efficiency. Originating from Toyota's Taiichi Ohno in the 1970s, Kanban helps teams manage tasks by breaking them into smaller, manageable chunks, allowing for real-time visibility and continuous improvement. It is adaptable to various fields beyond software development, such as marketing and content creation, and can be integrated with other agile frameworks to improve processes at scale. Despite its benefits, challenges such as task overload and reluctance to move tasks on the board can arise, necessitating regular reviews and adjustments. Kanban's lightweight nature, scalability, and ability to focus on flow make it a valuable tool for managing and organizing work, aligning product development with organizational strategies, and facilitating communication across departments.