Principles in Practice: Limiting WIP

Limiting work in progress (WIP) is perhaps the principle most closely identified with Kanban. WIP limits contribute to focus, finishing, quality, and visibility. How do you know what limits to set? Should you limit per person, per work item, or another way? How do you start and how can you use WIP limits to improve over time?

Key Kanban Practices: Explicit Policies, Limiting WIP and Visibility