---
sourceDocument: Brazil Strategic Portfolio Management
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/it-business-management

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    - brazil

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Brazil Strategic Portfolio Management

ft:clusterId :

    - itbm

bundleId :

    - itbm

workflow :

    - Technology


---

# Set WIP limits for Kanban lanes in EAP

# Set WIP limits for Kanban lanes in EAP {#ariaid-title1}

Release version: Brazil  
Updated October 14, 2026  
![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read  
Limit the amount of work in progress for each state or substate of an Agile Team in Enterprise Agile Planning so that the team keeps its workload under control.

## Before you begin

Role required: sn_apw_advanced.eap_scrum_master

## About this task

A WIP limit sets the maximum amount of work for one lane of a team. A lane is a story state or one of the substates of the team. For more information about substates, see [Substates in EAP](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/rxqDgM4viplx0jaIvognkg "Divide a story state into substates in Enterprise Agile Planning so that a team can track work in more detail.").

Each lane of a team can have one WIP limit. If you rename a substate, the lane name on its WIP limit is updated automatically.

## Procedure

1. Navigate to WorkspacesStrategic Planning WorkspaceEnterprise Agile Planning.
2. From the Agile structure section of the left navigation panel, choose your Agile Team.
3. In the page header, select Team settings.
4. Select the Kanban WIP limits tab.  

   <br />

5. Select New.  

   <br />

6. In the Kanban lane field, select the state or substate that you want to limit.  
   The list matches the lanes on the Planning board. A state that has substates is replaced in the list by its substates.
7. In the WIP limit field, enter the maximum number of work items for the lane.  
   The limit can't be a negative number.
8. Select Save.  
   The Team field is read-only and is set to the team that you opened.  
   If the limit isn't valid, the record isn't saved and one of the following messages appears:
   * WIP limit can't be a negative number.
   * A WIP limit already exists for this team and Kanban lane.
   * Select a valid Kanban lane for the WIP limit.
{#set-wip-limits-for-kanban-lanes-in-eap__steps_wl1}

## Result

The WIP limit appears in the list on the Kanban WIP limits tab, and the limit applies to the matching lane on the Planning board of the team.

* The lane header shows the number of stories in the lane and the limit.
* A lane without a limit shows only the number of stories.
* When a lane reaches its limit, the lane header turns amber.
* When a lane has more stories than its limit, the header turns red and shows an exclamation icon.
{#set-wip-limits-for-kanban-lanes-in-eap__ul_cmp_njk_clc}
**Related concepts**   

* [WIP limits in EAP](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/uudvbbYC~JkCNjICF1ySOw "Set a work in progress (WIP) limit on a state or substate so that a team sees when a Planning board lane holds more work than planned.")
* [Substates in EAP](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/rxqDgM4viplx0jaIvognkg "Divide a story state into substates in Enterprise Agile Planning so that a team can track work in more detail.")  
**Related tasks**   

* [Create substates for a team in EAP](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/PMvv~9G9j4ctIbN3U2Z2SA "Add substates to a story state for an Agile Team to track work in more detail on stories and on the Planning board in Enterprise Agile Planning.")

*[\>]: and then