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How to Configure WIP Limits in GitScrum Kanban Board?
How to configure WIP limits in GitScrum Kanban board?
GitScrum allows setting WIP limits (1-15) per Kanban column to prevent work overload. Navigate to board settings, select a column, and set the WIP limit. When tasks exceed the limit, GitScrum warns the team. Research shows WIP limits reduce cycle time by 25-40% and improve team focus [Source: Lean Software Development studies].
Setting WIP limits step by step:
- Open board settings - Click gear icon on board
- Select column - Choose column to configure
- Set WIP limit - Choose 1-15 tasks maximum
- Save settings - Apply changes
- Monitor flow - Watch for warnings
- Adjust as needed - Tune based on team performance
Recommended WIP limits by column
| Column Type | Suggested WIP | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| To Do | 10-15 | Backlog can be larger |
| In Progress | Team size | 1 per developer |
| Code Review | 2-3 | Quick turnaround needed |
| Testing | 3-5 | Batch testing |
| Deploy | 1-2 | One at a time |
WIP limit benefits
| Benefit | How It Helps |
|---|---|
| Reduced context switching | Focus on fewer tasks |
| Faster completion | Finish before starting |
| Bottleneck visibility | See where work piles |
| Predictable delivery | Consistent cycle time |
| Team sustainability | Less stress |
What happens when WIP is exceeded
| GitScrum Action | Team Response |
|---|---|
| Column shows warning | Review if legitimate |
| Visual indicator | Discuss at standup |
| Limit not hard-blocked | Team decides action |
| History tracked | Analyze patterns |
Calculating optimal WIP limits
| Factor | Impact on Limit |
|---|---|
| Team size | Start with 1 per developer |
| Task complexity | Complex = lower limit |
| Dependencies | More deps = lower limit |
| Review speed | Slow review = lower dev WIP |
| Deployment frequency | Frequent = lower WIP |
Common WIP limit mistakes
| Mistake | Better Approach |
|---|---|
| Limits too high | Start conservative |
| No limits at all | Start somewhere |
| Ignoring warnings | Treat as important signal |
| Same limit everywhere | Tune per column |
WIP limit calculation formula
Starting WIP = (Team Size × 1.5) ÷ Number of Active Columns
Example: 4 developers, 4 active columns = WIP of 1-2 per column