You can't fix what you can't see.
Kanban starts with a board that shows all the work, exactly as it really flows. Not the process you wish you had.
Map the real steps
Step 01
The columns work actually passes through, including waiting.
EXAMPLE
To do, build, waiting for review, test, done.
One card per item
Step 02
Every piece of work gets a card. No invisible jobs.
EXAMPLE
Including “quick favours.”
All work types
Step 03
Projects, support, maintenance and admin on one board.
EXAMPLE
Colour or lane by type.
Visible policies
Step 04
What it takes to move a card from one column to the next.
EXAMPLE
Written at the top of each column.
Map the work as it is, not as it should be.