Project Management 101: Kanban Boards







When tackling a research project solo, especially with a tight three-month deadline, effective time management and organisation are essential. While Agile methodology is highly effective for team projects, managing it solo can be quite challenging due to its iterative nature and the need for constant communication and feedback loops. For my sentiment analysis project, I have deemed Kanban boards  (a framework which actually falls under the Agile umbrella), to be a more practical approach to project management. Let me explain why...








Why Kanban Boards?

Kanban is a visual project management tool that helps track tasks and manage workflow efficiently. It’s particularly well-suited for solo projects because it provides clear visibility into what needs to be done, what is in progress, and what is completed. Here’s why Kanban is the best fit for my project:


  • Visual Workflow Management: Kanban boards use visual cards to represent tasks, making it easy to see the status of each task at a glance.

  • Flexibility: Unlike Agile, Kanban doesn’t require fixed iterations or sprints, allowing for more flexibility in managing tasks.

  • Continuous Improvement: Kanban encourages continuous monitoring and adjustment of tasks, ensuring that the workflow remains efficient.

  • Simplicity: With its straightforward setup, Kanban is easy to use and doesn’t require extensive planning or regular meetings.




How Kanban Fits into My Sentiment Analysis Project

I have always been a visual learner by nature and need visual aids to work effectively. Given the complexity of developing a sentiment analysis tool, Kanban’s visual and flexible approach allows me to manage tasks efficiently and make adjustments as needed. Here’s how I would implement Kanban in my project:







1. Setting Up the Kanban Board

  • Columns: The Kanban board will have columns for "To Do," "In Progress," "Review," and "Done." This setup provides a clear overview of the project’s progress and helps keep tasks organised.
  • Cards: Each task or milestone will be represented by a card. These cards can include details such as descriptions, deadlines, and priority levels.

2. Defining Tasks and Milestones

  • Project Breakdown: Break down the project into smaller, manageable tasks. For example, tasks could include data collection, data preprocessing, model development, testing, and deployment.
  • Prioritisation: Prioritise tasks based on their importance and deadlines. This ensures that critical tasks are addressed first, keeping the project on track.

3. Managing Workflow

  • Task Movement: As I work on tasks, I’ll move the corresponding cards from "To Do" to "In Progress," then to "Review," and finally to "Done." This visual movement helps track progress and maintain momentum.
  • Daily Updates: At the start of each day, review the Kanban board to plan the day’s work. This helps maintain focus and ensures that I stay on top of deadlines.

4. Continuous Monitoring and Adjustment

  • Regular Reviews: Periodically review the board to assess progress and make any necessary adjustments. This includes reprioritising tasks or adding new tasks as the project evolves.
  • Task Refinement: Break down larger tasks into smaller sub-tasks if needed to maintain a manageable workload and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

5. Finalising and Evaluating the Project

  • Completion Review: Once all tasks are moved to the "Done" column, conduct a final review of the project to ensure all objectives have been met.
  • Project Evaluation: Reflect on the project’s successes and challenges, documenting any lessons learned for future projects.






The flexibility and simplicity of Kanban make it an ideal choice for solo project management, and should enable me to stay focused and work efficiently throughout the duration of this task. By continuously monitoring and adjusting the workflow, I can ensure that the project remains on track and delivers a robust sentiment analysis tool.




References

  • Hammarberg, M., Sunden, J. (2014) Kanban In Action. O'Reilly Media (Accessed: 01 July 2024)












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