Quick answer
WIP limits cap how much is in progress per column — the constraint that exposes bottlenecks and forces finish-before-start; the heart of Kanban’s pull.
Why limits work
Little’s Law: less WIP = shorter cycle time — a limit makes overload visible instead of invisible.
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Setting them
Start with people count ±50%, watch flow, adjust — a limit too tight starves, too loose is decoration.
What happens at the limit
The column fills → pull stops → the team swarms on blockers — the limit forces finishing, not starting.
Expedite exception
True emergencies bypass with an explicit expedite lane — exception, not habit.
Bottom line
WIP limits cap how much is in progress per column — the constraint that exposes bottlenecks and forces finish-before-start; the heart of Kanban’s pull.
FAQ
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