Kanban WIP Limit Violation Identification
Exhibit
Backlog: A, B, C In Progress (WIP 3): D, E, F, G Done: H, I
Refer to the exhibit. What issue does the Kanban board reveal?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The WIP limit is exceeded.
The Kanban board shows 4 items in the 'In Progress' column, but the Work-In-Progress (WIP) limit is set to 3. This indicates that the WIP limit is exceeded, violating Kanban principles and causing potential bottlenecks. Option A is incorrect because the issue is not about the number of done items but the limit in progress. Option B is incorrect as the backlog size is not the direct issue shown. Option D is a possible consequence but not the primary issue revealed by the board.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Not enough items are done.
Why it's wrong here
Counting completed items measures throughput, not a board defect; the exhibit's issue lies in column WIP limits being exceeded or uneven flow. It tempts because few 'Done' cards suggest sluggish delivery, but Kanban boards diagnose bottlenecks and limit violations rather than raw completion counts.
- ✗
The backlog is too large.
Why it's wrong here
Backlog size alone is not diagnosable from a Kanban board; the exhibit shows work-in-progress distribution across columns, not total item count. It tempts because a crowded board looks backlog-heavy, but Kanban exposes flow and WIP limit breaches, not backlog volume.
- ✓
The WIP limit is exceeded.
Why this is correct
The board shows more cards in a column than that column's stated WIP limit permits, which is the violation the exhibit exposes. Exceeding the limit breaks the pull system's constraint, signalling the team must finish work before starting more.
- ✗
The team is overworked.
Why it's wrong here
Overwork may be a consequence, but the direct issue is WIP limit violation.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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