Kanban (TaskBoard). Smart planning and managing tasks

This overview focuses on a beautiful and elegant task management application, which is Webix Kanban.

What is Kanban?

In relation to managing and planning practices, Kanban is a method of control based on “just in time” principle. The main principle of this approach is transparency of all processes for each team member.

The visual embodiment of the Kanban method is the Task Board, which is a list of planned and current tasks, from which each project participant takes their own assigned ones.

Overview of Webix Kanban widget

In this article, we will look at what the Webix library offers for project management and task planning purposes. First, let’s say a few words about the library itself. Webix is a JavaScript UI library for building business web applications. Users have access to more than 100 different UI widgets, starting with the simplest alerts and notifications, large and optimized data widgets, and ending with “complex” widgets, which are independent SPA applications as Kanban.

Before providing a detailed review, we want to explain that Webix Kanban is a product aimed at developers who can embed it in their applications, customize it, and modify it thanks to the wide capabilities of the Webix platform.

What is Webix Kanban and who is it intended for?

Webix Kanban is a ready-made SPA for planning tasks and managing projects of various degrees of complexity. This product is not an independent application, i.e. it is not intended for end users. It is created as part of the Webix JavaScript library for rapid development and prototyping of the UI layer of web applications.

The target audience of this product includes:

• business analysts;
• front-end developers;
• system architects;
• JS programmers.

In other words, the target audience includes those web programmers who develop project planning and management systems, ERP applications, or search for ready-made components like Task Board.

For this purpose, Webix Kanban is accompanied by detailed documentation, code examples and demo applications. Users also receive technical support and advice.

The Possibilities of Webix Kanban (Task Board)

The Webix team has carefully worked through every element of the application. The users get at their disposal a ready-made solution for managing and planning any processes.

The work starts with a simple interface for creating a new task.

Basic functionality is available to users:

• issues description;
• tags prescription;
• performer assignment;
• color labels;
• task status;
• attached files (the first graphic file will be displayed on the main screen inside the task card).

Displaying cards and working with issues

Task cards are grouped by project stage. There is a built-in drag-n-drop support. The context menu allows you to copy, paste, edit and delete tasks directly on the main screen of the app.

Clicking on the performer icon allows you to reassign the task to another employee.

On the desktop screen the user can select one or several cards using the keyboard for multiple operations with tasks.

Grouping issues

The app lets you collapse and expand task columns to save space on your desktop. Also, the developers have provided the ability to split the task into subtasks, which allows you to create flexible management schemes for any project.

Swimlane grouping

Another useful feature that allows you to “skip” tasks through several stages, while maintaining visual grouping by performers. This allows you to track the progress and performance of each employee.

Random grouping of tasks

Obviously, there are many approaches to task planning. Not all of them are suitable for implementation in the Kanban environment. Keeping that in mind, Webix developers have provided several options for various groupings and visualization of projects. In fact, users are asked to define the project structure and to organize the workflow themselves.

Disadvantages of Webix Kanban

1. There is the need to learn the basics of the library and how to build Webix-based interfaces. Despite the fact that the developers offer extensive documentation and interactive materials for self-learning, you still have to spend some time to understand the new technology for yourself.
2. Compatibility with mobile devices. Obviously, such a business application will work on tablet devices without problems, but using it on mobile phones can cause difficulties. Webix developers recommend creating a separate version of the interface for using Kanban on devices with a small screen size.
3. Customization and integration. In case you need to customize Kanban to meet the requirements of your project, you will need to plan a certain amount of time and resources for that. Despite good documentation and the abundance of examples, experienced developers understand that customization of a ready-made solution is a serious task with many unknowns.
4. Back-End. In the delivery package the developers offer NodeJS solution. This is sufficient as an example of integration, but in practice you may need a solution for other platforms.

Webix Kanban application usage

Obviously, Webix Kanban finds its direct application in project planning and management systems. But here we will give an example of two exceptional cases that show how this tool can help in complex and not trivial tasks.

Purchasing and delivery planning system for construction materials and equipment.

This case is being developed by one of the construction companies in Germany. With the help of Webix Kanban, they implemented a platform for holding tenders for the supply of various construction materials. The functionality of this solution includes:

• creating a delivery request;
• registration of applications from suppliers;
• process for evaluating applications and updating data;
• choosing a supplier;
• the process of signing the contract;
• contract support (payment, delivery, maintenance).

In this article, you can learn about a rather complicated case study of integrating Webix Kanban into the SharePoint development environment and building a tool for electronic document management purposes.