What is Kanban?
Kanban is a scheduling system for lean manufacturing and just-in-time manufacturing (JIT). Originating from the Japanese word for "signboard" or "billboard," kanban has evolved beyond its manufacturing roots to become a popular strategy in Agile and Lean management, especially within software development and various business processes.
At its core, kanban helps companies visualize work, maximize efficiency, and improve continuously. This is mainly achieved through the use of a Kanban board, a tool that allows teams to see the progression of work through different stages. The basic structure of the board is divided into columns, each representing a stage of the workflow, such as "To Do," "In Progress," and "Done."
The process starts with tasks being placed in the "To Do" column. As work begins, tasks are moved to the "In Progress" column and upon completion, to the "Done" column. This simple but effective visualization method enables team members to communicate more efficiently, manage workflow, and quickly identify bottlenecks or issues within any given project.
Kanban principles focus on visual management, limiting work in progress (WIP), flow management, making process policies explicit, feedback loops, and collaborative or experimental evolution. Limiting WIP, for instance, helps teams concentrate on current tasks, improving quality and speeding up delivery.
The method is not static; it encourages continuous improvement. Regular meetings, known as Kanban meetings, are held to discuss workflow, review cycle times (how long it takes to complete a task), and address any obstacles. Through this ongoing process, teams strive to enhance both the speed and quality of their work.
Kanban vs. Scrum is a common comparison in the field of project management methodologies. While Scrum is iterative, focusing on fixed-length sprints to achieve results, kanban is continuous and emphasizes flow and efficiency without predefined sprint boundaries. This makes kanban more flexible and adaptable to changes, which can be particularly beneficial in environments where priorities frequently shift.
In conclusion, kanban offers a powerful, flexible method for improving workflow and efficiency across various domains, from software development to manufacturing and beyond. By making work visible, limiting work in progress, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, organizations can deliver higher quality work more efficiently and effectively.