How To Make Kanban Boards in FigJam

Many people battle with scattered sticky notes, endless email threads, and messy spreadsheets to track projects. These quick fixes create missed deadlines, triggering confusion and team frustration.

Kanban boards are excellent for monitoring project progress, but building one can be a real headache, especially for newbies. FigJam, with its excellent features, like integration with Figma, takes the pain out of the process.

Here, I'll show you step-by-step how to create a Kanban in FigJam, whether you're managing a small team project or coordinating complex workflows. Also, you'll discover the best FigJam alternative to facilitate and speed up the process.

What Is a Kanban Board?

A Kanban board helps organize tasks visually, turning scattered work into a clear process. This system ensures tasks flow smoothly, keeps priorities in view, and strengthens team coordination.

Key Components of a Kanban Board

• Columns: Denote different workflow stages.
• Cards: Visualize tasks moving through stages.
• WIP Limits: Prevent bottlenecks and keep stages efficient.
• Swimlanes: Group tasks with similar objectives.
• Markers: Call attention to blockers, deadlines, or priorities.

Use Cases

Kanban boards are versatile, supporting industries and teams of all sizes, including the following:

• Software developers track bugs and updates.
• Marketers organize campaigns.
• Educators manage lesson plans.
• Individuals plan daily tasks or long-term goals.

Benefits

Kanban boards excel at making workflows visible and efficient with several benefits:

• Overflowing stages highlight problems quickly, offering clarity that static lists can’t.
• From team projects to personal goals, this tool adapts to any workflow.
• Modern Kanban tools also support collaboration, real-time updates, and enhanced automation.

How To Create a Kanban Board in FigJam?

FigJam, an online whiteboard from Figma, offers a unique space for collaboration, making it perfect for creating Kanban boards. Teams can use it to keep their workflow organized, limit ongoing tasks, and improve efficiency—all while working together in real time.

Several key features make FigJam well-suited for Kanban and diagram creation:

• FigJam allows multiple users to work on the same board simultaneously, keeping everyone in sync and making collaboration easier.
• Sticky notes are the core of your Kanban board. They represent tasks and can be moved from one column to another as progress is made.
• Use simple shapes to define columns for stages like "To Do" and "Done." Connectors link tasks, showing how they depend on each other.
• Text and Drawing Tools let you add important details or notes to tasks, ensuring nothing is overlooked.
• Sections help divide large boards. They also allow you to group related tasks or projects, keeping things organized.
• Stamps and Emotes features let you add a bit of fun. Stamps and emotes can be used for quick feedback or reactions, adding more personality to the board.
• FigJam offers pre-made templates, including basic Kanban boards. These templates save time and help you start with a clean structure.

Here's how to create Kanban boards in FigJam using two different methods:

Method 1: Using the Kanban Board Widget

Step 1Add Kanban Board Widget

• On your Figma Home screen, create a New FigJam board or open an existing one.

• Click the + icon, go to Widgets, search for “Kanban,” and select a widget to place on your board.

Step 2Customize the Kanban Board Widget

• Adjust the columns in the widget to align with your workflow. Rename default ones like To Do, In Progress, and Done by clicking their headers.

• Add tasks using the + Add button, then type and press Enter.
• Delete tasks with the x sign.
• Adjust each task’s priority to High, Medium, or Low based on urgency.
• Hit the mark box on the upper left corner of each card to move it to the Done column.
• Use the toolbar for more customization options.

Step 3Export or Share Your Kanban Board

• After completing your Kanban board, open the File menu to save or export it.
• Use the Share button at the top right to generate a link for real-time collaboration.

Method 2: Manually Creating Cards/Sticky Notes

Step 1Set Up Your Board and Columns

• Open a New FigJam board in Figma.

• You’ll be welcome on the blank whiteboard.

• Create columns with the shape tool.
• Position them in a horizontal layout.
• Each column should be named according to the workflow steps, such as "To Do," "In Progress," and "Done."
• Modify text format, style, and font from the pop-up menu.
• Consider using distinct colors to improve clarity.

Step 2Create and Populate Your Cards

• Use the sticky note tool to begin.
• Assign a color to each note, grouping similar tasks by color if needed.
• Each note should focus on one task or work item.
• Fill in your task descriptions with necessary details like due dates, instructions, and assignees.

• Adjust the notes for all tasks to ensure everything is listed.
• Drag and drop to rearrange the sticky notes across columns as tasks progress.

Step 3Export or Share Your Board

• In the top-right corner, click Share to allow others to view your FigJam Kanban board.
• Invite team members by email or generate a link to share.
• Use the File menu to export or save the Kanban board for later.

Kanban Board Widget vs. Manual Creation: Which One to Choose?

• Opt for the Kanban Board Widget when you need an easy and efficient way to create a board. This method works well for quick tasks, small groups, or simple projects.
• Go with manual creation if you want more control over design, visuals, and features. It's ideal for detailed workflows or larger projects.

How to Make a Kanban Board Easily with Edraw.AI?

FigJam works well for collaborative whiteboarding, yet Edraw AI offers a more advanced diagramming experience with a simple interface.

With pro customization options and AI features like layout and content automation, it’s perfect for users who need efficiency. It helps streamline processes, from Kanban boards to flowcharts and network diagrams.

Here's why you might prefer Edraw.AI over FigJam for diagramming:

• Vast Resources: The large variety of 700+ templates and over 26k shapes help you start projects without creating everything from scratch.
• Seamless Tool Integration: Edraw.AI connects well with platforms like Microsoft Office and Google Workspace, making diagram sharing and collaboration a breeze.
• Simple to Navigate: Its easy-to-use interface makes it accessible even to beginners, so you can start working immediately.
• Live Collaboration: Like FigJam, Edraw.AI allows teams to edit and collaborate on diagrams simultaneously, no matter where they are.
• AI-Driven Diagramming: Features like AI diagramming and content analysis save time and add creative options to your work.
• Available Everywhere: Accessibility across multiple devices and platforms lets you work from anywhere.

Method 1: Use the Kanban Framework

Step 1Choose a Kanban Framework

• Open Edraw.AI and navigate to the Collaboration Tools section.
• Click the + Kanban Framework button to begin with a pre-configured board.

• This framework includes columns like To Do, In Progress, and Done, which you can easily adjust based on your workflow.

Step 2Customize the Board

• After placing the framework on your canvas, you can personalize it.
• Click on any column header to rename it.
• Use the + sign under each column to add more tasks.
• Adjust the task cards by double-clicking them to add details like descriptions, due dates, or assignees.
• Select any card to change its colors for better organization and priority differentiation.

• As tasks progress, simply drag and drop cards between columns to update their status.

Step 4Export or Share the Board

• Once your board is ready, click the Export button to download it in various formats, such as Image, PDF, Presentation, Xmind, and Word.

• Use the Share button to collaborate with your team. As you work together, you Can invite others to view or edit your work.

Method 2: Create Kanban Boards Manually in Edraw.AI

Step 1Start with a Blank Canvas

• To build a new board, hit the +New button in the top-left corner of Edraw.AI.

• Select New Diagram to create a blank workspace for maximum customization.

Step 2Create Kanban Columns and Cards

• From the Symbol Library on the left, search for “Swimlane” Shapes and drag them onto your canvas to create columns for each workflow stage.
• Pick a suitable theme from the right side.

• Customize each column by double-clicking to name it (e.g., To Do, In Progress, and Done).

• Next, use Rectangle Shapes to create task cards.
• Adjust their sizes to fit your layout and add content, such as task names, due dates, and additional details.

• Move tasks between columns as work progresses.
• Take advantage of the other tools and a range of shapes and icons to improve the look of your design.

Step 3Export or Share Your Board

• When done creating your Kanban board, save it in your preferred format from the Export menu.
• You can share the board with team members using the Share button for live collaboration.

Conclusion

Teams need effective tools to handle project management challenges. Kanban boards simplify complex processes, making them manageable. Its real power lies in improving teamwork and tracking progress.

The right tool can drive your team’s success. FigJam is ideal for teams getting started with simple workflows, offering simplicity and collaboration. Edraw.AI is ideal for teams handling complex workflows with its advanced diagramming tools and custom templates.

So try both for free to see how they work for you.