One of the most important tools for any Agile teams is the task board. This is where all the magic happens and thus it is important to have one that not only functions well, but that you like. Contrary to what you may believe, Agile task boards come in all shapes and sizes so you can truly pick and choose one that is closest to your style. To help you see the possibilities, here are the 5 most common types of Agile boards out there.
The Simple One
When thinking about Agile boards, most likely this is what comes to your mind. The bare three column board comprised of To Do, Doing and Done. The truth is, while this is the simplest choice, in most cases it is the best one. Especially for teams new to Agile or ones that can’t be bothered by translating their process steps onto the board and just needing a way to see what is happening.
Quick to set up and really simple to explain, the bare Agile board may be your best starting position.
The Detailed One
For those working in a more complex environment or already used to Agile, the simple board usually does not cut it. This is where the detailed task board option comes into play. It features all the process steps the product goes through and allows to monitor what is happening at any moment. It is also great for those needing to analyse their efforts and see where they can be improved and made more effective.
Visual and detailed this is a great option for experienced Agile practitioners that need specifics.
The Original One
If you are really advanced in Agile practices, you may be looking to create your own board. The original solutions are great as they can fit your needs exactly and are not constrained by columns, size or any board shape. In this case you need to have some experience with Agile, but are free to create something that answers your teams needs exactly. Remember, you can innovate as long as you keep true to the core Agile values.
This option gives you and your team complete freedom to create a task board of your dreams.
The Fun One
On the other hand, if you like the original structure of the board made out of columns and rows, you can still have some fun with it. Make your board out of unexpected objects, such as boxes, Lego or anything else that you find fun. This way you get to keep the tested structure, but your board is more fun to look at and obviously use.
This option is great for creative teams that need visual stimulation as well as accurate information.
The Automated One
Lastly, if you are unsure what kind of a board you actually need, you can always choose an automated one. Depending on your needs, you will be able to change the depth of this board without loosing any of the data. A tool like Eylean Board will give you a clean and informative interface that will respond to your changing needs and integrate with your other business tools to make life easier.
Choose an automated board to be able to work quicker and more effectively.
Curious to see some more non-traditional Agile task boards? Check out Top 5 Most Interesting Scrum Boards and Top 5 Most Innovative Kanban Boards.
