Participants:
2-10
11-25
25+
Prep Time:
Time to run:
30 min

Kanban board template

Stay up-to-date with your team progress.

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About the MURAL kanban board template

Use Mural's free (and editable) kanban board template to track, manage, and share all your projects. Add sticky notes (and tags), comment, and collaborate with your team to drive actions and outcomes while keeping everyone aligned.  

What is kanban methodology and how does a kanban board work for project management?

A kanban board is a tool that can be used for project management. It is based on the kanban methodology, which is a system for managing work that emphasizes transparency and collaboration. The kanban board is typically divided into columns, each of which represents a stage in the workflow.

The kanban board can be used to track the progress of work, as well as to identify bottlenecks in the workflow.

The key to using a kanban board effectively is to make sure that each task is assigned to a specific person and that there is a clear system for progress from start to finish. When used correctly, kanban boards can help to improve communication, collaboration, and overall efficiency.

What does a typical kanban board template include?

The most basic kanban board template includes three columns: "To Do," "In Progress," and "Done." Other kanban board templates may include additional columns, such as "Blocked" or "Ready for review."

The Mural kanban board template can also be customized to include swimlanes, which can be used to group tasks by category, as well as color-coding and tags to help prioritize and assign tasks.

Kanban boards can be used for a variety of purposes, including managing personal projects, tracking the progress of team projects, and facilitating collaboration between remote workers. When used effectively, kanban boards can help people to boost their productivity and to get a better overview of their work.

Tips for using a kanban board to manage projects more effectively

If you're looking for a more efficient way to manage your projects, a kanban board may be the answer. Kanban boards are a type of project management tool that helps you visualize and track the progress of your work. They can be used for individual or team projects, and they're especially well-suited for asynchronous collaboration.

Here are some tips for using kanban boards to manage your projects more effectively:

  1. Create a kanban board for each project you're working on. This will help you keep track of all the different tasks and subtasks involved in the project.
  2. Assign each task to a specific team member. This will help ensure that everyone is aware of their responsibilities and knows when a task is due. (This can easily be done using tags for sticky notes in any mural.)
  3. Use kanban boards to track progress visually. This will help you quickly identify areas where progress has stalled or where tasks are falling behind schedule.
  4. Hold regular check-ins with your team to discuss the kanban board and make sure everyone is on track. This will ensure that everyone is aware of any changes or updates to the project plan.

Related: How to Run a Sprint Review Meeting + Template

Following these tips, you'll be able to manage your projects more effectively and ensure that everyone is on the same page.

Examples of how to use a kanban board in different types of projects

Typically, kanban boards are used to visualize work progress in real-time, and they can be used for both asynchronous and synchronous collaboration.

  • For example, a kanban board can be used to track the progress of a software development project. In this case, the board would be used to visualize the various stages of the software development process, from initial planning to final testing.
  • Alternatively, a kanban board can be used to manage a personal task list. In this case, the board would be used to track individual tasks and their associated deadlines.
  • Kanban boards can also be used for team-based projects, such as marketing campaigns or product launches. Here, the kanban board would be used to track the various tasks involved in the project and ensure that everyone is on the same page.

Ultimately, kanban boards are flexible tools that can be adapted to fit a wide range of different projects.

What are the pros of using kanban boards for project management?

If you've ever tried to manage a project using only a to-do list, you know how quickly things can start to feel overwhelming. A kanban board can be a helpful tool for keeping track of all the moving parts of a project and making sure that everyone is on the same page.

  • Asynchronous collaboration: Because it is visual, it can be used by team members who are located in different time zones or who have different schedules. This makes it an ideal tool for distributed teams.
  • Facilitate communication and transparency: Enhance communication and collaboration between team members by providing a central place where all updates can be seen.
  • Stay on top of everything: Easily view which tasks are stalled and need attention, as well as assess the overall progress of your project.

How to get started

  • Begin by using (or editing) the columns in the MURAL template that represent the different stages of your process.
  • Add sticky notes to each column to represent the individual tasks.
  • Include information about each task such as its name, description, due date, and status.
  • As tasks are completed, move them from left to right along the appropriate column.
  • Use colors or other symbols to indicate different statuses (e.g., pending approval, in progress).  

If you want to get even more creative with your kanban board, there are plenty of ways to customize it according to your specific needs.

For example, you could add charts or graphs that track metrics such as time spent on each task or total number of tasks completed. Ultimately, the goal is to find a setup that works best for you and helps you be as productive as possible.

How to create a Kanban board template

Intuitive features and tools built to collaboratively track tasks

Mural's flexible (and editable) Kanban board template makes it easier to track and share progress with your whole team or organization.
Sticky notes & text

Sticky notes & text

Add ideas, action items, and more as a sticky note or text box — then change the colors and cluster to identify patterns and new solutions.

Asynchronous collaboration

Asynchronous collaboration

Innovate and collaborate effectively together without booking time on calendars.

Commenting

Commenting

Add comments and tag collaborators for smooth asynchronous communication.

Presentation mode

Presentation mode

Build presentations collaboratively, then deliver engaging sessions that go beyond one-way talk tracks.

Find & filter

Find & filter

Search and filter by color, last edited by, and more to unlock patterns and enhance visual collaboration.

Flexible permissions

Flexible permissions

Control access to collaboration features with view-only, edit, and facilitator settings.

Kanban board template frequently asked questions

How do you structure a Kanban board?

What is kanban methodology?