Overview

Service Level Expectations (SLEs) in Kanban Zone allow you to set time-based expectations for how long cards should remain in specific columns on your Kanban boards. When a card exceeds its defined SLE, it turns red, providing a visual alert to help you identify and address potential bottlenecks promptly.

NOTE: This feature is only available on the Portfolio plan.

What Is a Service Level Expectation (SLE)?

An SLE is a forecast of how long it should take a work item to move through a particular stage in your workflow. Unlike rigid deadlines, SLEs are based on historical data and provide probabilistic expectations, helping teams manage flow and improve predictability.

How to Set Up SLEs in Kanban Zone

1. Access the Board:
   • Navigate to the Kanban board where you want to set up SLEs.
2. Enter Edit Mode:
   • Click on the “Board Designer” button to modify the board.
3. Select a Column:
   • Navigate to the column for which you want to set an SLE.
4. Set the SLE:
   • Click on the Settings icon in the top/right of the column
   • Review the current average time for this column based on the last 4 weeks
   • Define the SLE in Days, Hours, and Minutes

Understanding SLE Visual Indicators

• Red Highlighting:
  • When a card exceeds its SLE in a column, the “Time in Column” badge turns red, signaling that it requires attention.
• Average Time Display:
  • Kanban Zone displays the average time cards have spent in each column over the past four weeks, assisting you in setting realistic SLEs.

Best Practices for Using SLEs

• Start with Historical Data:
  • Use the provided average time metrics to set initial SLEs that reflect your team’s current performance.
• Iterate and Adjust:
  • Regularly review and adjust SLEs based on changes in team capacity, workflow, or project complexity.
• Combine with WIP Limits:
  • Use SLEs alongside Work In Progress (WIP) limits to enhance flow efficiency and prevent overloading.

Additional Resource

• Service Level Expectations