WIP limits

WIP limit is a recommendation for the maximum number of cards in a column.

As soon as the number of cards exceeds the set number, the column will be highlighted in red.

You can use this visual signal to indicate that a problem has occurred at some point in your process. From Kanban's point of view, limits are needed to even out the flow of tasks, stabilize the system and open up the possibility of probabilistic forecasting of deadlines.

How to set WIP limit

For a column

In the context menu of the first level column (next to the name) there is an item "Set WIP Limit", press and select the required amount that is relevant for this column.

For lane

In the context menu of the lane (next to the name) there is an item "Set WIP Limit", press and select the required amount that is relevant for this lane.

For cell

Cell – the intersection of a column and a track, the context menu is located in the lower right corner of the cell.

In the context menu of the cell there is an item "Set WIP Limit", press and select the required amount that is relevant for this cell.

Edit WIP Limit

Click on the three dots in the upper right corner of a column or track that has a restriction. For a cell, you need to click on the three dots in the lower right corner.

Then click on the pencil icon next to "WIP Limit".

In the window that appears, you can change the value of the WIP limit, as well as change what to apply the limit to: to the number of cards or to their total size.

Remove WIP Limit

Click on the three dots next to the column or track name, click on the trash can icon next to "WIP Limit".

Zero WIP limit

The concurrent work limit can be zero. Use a zero WIP limit to

1. Show the team that some stage of the work needs to be skipped.

For example, when working with urgent tasks, the verification step is skipped. To do this, set a zero WIP limit in the cell at the intersection of the "Urgent" track and the "Check" column.

2. To get rid of the jam on the board.

In this case, we set a zero WIP-limit on the column in front of the accumulation of cards to show that until the board on the right is unloaded, there is no need to take new cards to work.

After setting the limit, a green icon will appear in the column or cell, signaling that this step should be skipped. If there is no background in your space, then this column will be shaded.