Kanban is a visual project management framework that originated in manufacturing and has since been widely adopted in various industries, including software development, project management, and personal productivity. It is a popular Lean workflow method for defining and managing complex work.
The History of Kanban
Kanban can be traced back to the 1940s in Japan when the Toyota Motor Corporation, under the guidance of engineer Taiichi Ohno, developed the Toyota Production System (TPS). Kanban was one of the key components of this system, which aimed to improve efficiency and eliminate waste in manufacturing processes.
The term "Kanban" itself was coined by Taiichi Ohno and translates to "visual card" or "signboard" in Japanese. The word "kanban" is derived from Japanese, where "kan" means "visual" and "ban" means "card" or "board."
The initial purpose of Kanban was to create a just-in-time (JIT) production system that would allow Toyota to produce goods based on actual customer demand, minimizing inventory and reducing lead times.
The traditional Kanban system used physical cards, referred to as Kanban cards, to represent work items. Each card contained information about the specific task, such as its description, quantity, and destination. The cards were placed in containers or attached to parts, and as parts were used or moved, the Kanban cards were returned to the previous stage to signal the need for replenishment. This visual representation facilitated the smooth flow of materials and ensured that production was aligned with demand.
Over time, the concept of Kanban expanded beyond manufacturing and found application in other industries. In the 2000s, the Agile software development movement embraced Kanban as an alternative to traditional project management. Software teams began to adopt Kanban boards to visualize tasks, track progress, and manage workflow.
Kanban has gained widespread recognition and adoption across industries as an effective method to improve productivity, streamline workflows, and foster collaboration. Various software tools have been developed to support digital Kanban boards, making it easier for teams to implement and manage Kanban systems.
What Makes Kanban So Effective?
The primary goal of Kanban is to improve efficiency, productivity, and workflow by visualizing work, limiting work in progress (WIP), and promoting continuous improvement. It provides a visual representation of the entire workflow, allowing team members to have a clear understanding of the status of work items and collaborate effectively.
Key Principles and Components of Kanban
Visualization: Work items, represented as cards or sticky notes, are placed on a Kanban board, typically divided into columns that represent different stages of the workflow. This visual representation provides a clear overview of the work in progress, backlog, and completed tasks.
Work in Progress (WIP) Limit
Kanban emphasizes limiting the number of tasks or work items that can be in progress at any given time. This helps prevent overloading individuals or teams, reduces multitasking, and improves focus.
Pull System
Kanban operates on a pull-based system, where work is pulled into the next stage only when there is capacity for it. This ensures a steady flow of work, prevents bottlenecks, and promotes a balanced workload. The pull system is based on the WIP Limit which is decided on by the team and the Scrum Master.
Continuous Improvement
Kanban encourages continuous improvement by identifying bottlenecks, inefficiencies, or areas of improvement in the workflow. Teams regularly review and refine their processes to optimize efficiency. Often Scrum retrospectives are utilized to evaluate past sprints and target areas that need to be improved.
Feedback Loops
Kanban promotes frequent communication and feedback between team members. Daily stand-up meetings or regular check-ins help identify and address any issues or obstacles. Team metrics and data are used to analyze and improve performance. Cycle time, lead time, and throughput are some of the key metrics used to measure efficiency and identify areas for improvement.
Kanban provides a visual framework that fosters transparency, collaboration, and continuous improvement. This is the reason why teams and organizations find Kanban effective in managing and streamlining their workflows. It is effective at reducing waste and delivering value.
