// Book comparison
Kanban vs Managing by Values
Which should you read? A side-by-side comparison of Kanban by David Anderson and Managing by Values by Ken Blanchard.
Kanban
by David Anderson
★ 4.6/5
Managing by Values
by Ken Blanchard
★ 4.5/5
At a glance
| Kanban | Managing by Values | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.6/5 | ★ 4.5/5 |
| Pages | 258 | 160 |
| Reading time | ~6.5 h | ~4.0 h |
| Published | 2010 | 1997 |
| Author | David Anderson | Ken Blanchard |
| Category | Strategy & Management | Strategy & Management |
| Publisher | Blue Hole Press | Berrett-Koehler Publishers |
Choose Kanban if…
- → You're interested in strategy & management.
- → You want the higher-rated book (4.6/5).
- → You want the more recent perspective (2010).
Choose Managing by Values if…
- → You're interested in strategy & management.
- → You prefer a shorter read (~4.0 hours).
Key takeaways — Kanban
- ✓ Utilize WIP Limits (Work In Progress) to prevent team overload and ensure that resources are focused on completing current tasks before starting new ones.
- ✓ Implement a Visual Kanban Board to provide real-time transparency into the status of all projects, making bottlenecks and blockers immediately obvious to all stakeholders.
- ✓ Adopt an Evolutionary Change approach by starting with your current process and making incremental, data-driven adjustments based on actual workflow performance.
Key takeaways — Managing by Values
- ✓ Implement the Three-Phase MBV Process—Clarify, Communicate, and Align—to transform your corporate culture into a powerful engine for ethical and financial growth.
- ✓ Utilize your organization's Core Values as the primary filters for strategic decision-making, ensuring that every tactical move reinforces your long-term institutional identity.
- ✓ Redesign your Recruitment and Performance Systems to prioritize cultural fit and value-aligned behavior, fostering an environment of mutual trust and collective accountability.
The verdict
If you want the higher-rated, more acclaimed read, start with Kanban. If you want a different angle on the same topic, Managing by Values is the better fit. Both summaries are free — no signup required.
❓ FAQ
Is Kanban or Managing by Values better? +
Kanban has the higher reader rating (4.6/5 vs 4.5/5), but "better" depends on your goal. Kanban focuses on strategy & management, while Managing by Values focuses on strategy & management. See the verdict below.
Which is shorter, Kanban or Managing by Values? +
Managing by Values is shorter (160 pages, ~4.0 hours) compared to Kanban (258 pages, ~6.5 hours).
Should I read Kanban or Managing by Values first? +
If you want the quicker, higher-rated read, start with Kanban. Otherwise read whichever matches your current goal — both summaries are free on BookAudio.