/ˈkæn.bænˌzaɪ.ə.ti/
Definition
A persistent sense of unease experienced while watching tasks migrate across a Kanban board at a pace best described as glacial optimism. Symptoms worsen when columns like “In Review” become black holes from which no ticket returns.
Common Manifestations
- Refreshing the board compulsively to confirm that progress remains theoretical.
- Tickets stuck in “Ready for QA” since the previous fiscal year.
- Daily stand-ups featuring the phrase “Still working on this one…”
- Adding extra columns as a coping mechanism (“Ready for Ready for Review”).
Usage Example
“The sprint’s going fine, but my Kanbanxiety flared up when the board stopped moving last Thursday.”
HR Guidance
Kanbanxiety is a natural by-product of transparency. Encourage mindfulness, regular backlog grooming, and pretending that ‘movement isn’t everything.