Introduction
Kanban is a visual system for managing and optimising work processes. It originated as a scheduling system for Toyota’s manufacturing line in the 1940s and has since been adapted and applied to many other industries and types of work. Kanban is based on the idea of using visual signals to control and improve the flow of work and is grounded in several key principles. In this article, we’ll explore what Kanban is, how it works, and how it can be applied in different contexts.
Japanese meaning
Kanban is a Japanese term that means “signboard” or “billboard”. In the context of work management, it refers to a visual system that uses cards or other signals to represent work items and track their progress through a process.
Kanban is based on the principle of “pulling” work through the system, rather than “pushing” it from one stage to the next. This means that work is only started when there is capacity to handle it, rather than simply adding more work to an already overloaded system.
History of Kanban
Kanban was first developed by Taiichi Ohno, a Toyota engineer, in the late 1940s. Ohno wanted to find a way to optimise the flow of materials through the manufacturing process and reduce waste. He introduced the use of a simple card system to signal the need for materials and help regulate production.
Over time, the Kanban system was refined and adapted to other areas of the production line, and eventually spread to other industries and types of work.
Key principles of Kanban
Kanban is based on several key principles, including visualising work, limiting work in progress (WIP), managing flow, making process policies explicit, implementing feedback loops, and continuously improving.
These principles are designed to help teams and organisations optimise their work processes, reduce waste, and increase efficiency and quality.
Throughout this article, we’ll explore how these principles are applied in practice using Kanban boards, WIP limits, metrics, and other tools and techniques.
Setting up a Kanban system
To implement a Kanban system, you’ll need to understand your workflow, design a Kanban board, choose work items, establish WIP limits, and determine how work is pulled through the system. In this section, we’ll explore each of these steps in more detail.
Understanding your workflow
The first step in setting up a Kanban system is to understand your workflow. This involves mapping out the stages of your process, identifying any bottlenecks or inefficiencies, and determining the key metrics you’ll use to measure progress and performance.
By understanding your workflow, you’ll be able to design a Kanban system that is tailored to your specific needs and goals.
Designing a Kanban board
The Kanban board is the visual representation of your workflow and is typically divided into columns that represent the stages of the process (such as “To Do”, “In Progress”, and “Done”). The Kanban board can be physical or digital and can be customised to fit the specific needs of your team or organisation.
It should be easy to understand and use and should provide clear visibility into the status of work items at any given time.
Choosing work items and categorising them
To use a Kanban system effectively, you’ll need to choose work items and categorise them according to their type, priority, and other relevant factors. This can be done using cards or other signals that are placed on the Kanban board.
By categorising work items in this way, you’ll be able to prioritise them, manage them more effectively, and ensure that the right work is being done at the right time.
Establishing WIP limits
WIP (work in progress) limits are a key component of Kanban, as they help to prevent overloading the system and ensure that work is completed in a timely and efficient manner. WIP limits are typically set for each stage of the process and help to ensure that there are not too many work items in progress at any given time.
By limiting WIP, you’ll be able to reduce multitasking, improve flow, and identify bottlenecks more easily.
Determining how work is pulled through the system
The final step in setting up a Kanban system is to determine how work is pulled through the system. This involves establishing rules and policies for how work items are moved from one stage to the next and ensuring that these rules are understood and followed by all team members.
By implementing clear rules and policies, you’ll be able to manage the flow of work more effectively and ensure that work is completed in a consistent and efficient manner.
Managing work with Kanban
Once you’ve set up a Kanban system, the next step is to use it to manage your work effectively. In this section, we’ll explore some best practices for managing work with Kanban, including monitoring progress, managing bottlenecks, and improving your process.
Monitoring progress with metrics
One of the key benefits of Kanban is that it provides visibility into the status of work items at any given time. To make the most of this visibility, you’ll need to establish metrics that help you track progress and identify areas for improvement.
These metrics might include lead time (the time it takes for a work item to move from start to finish), cycle time (the time it takes to complete one iteration of a process), and throughput (the rate at which work items are completed).
Managing bottlenecks and flow
Bottlenecks are a common problem in any work process and can cause delays and reduce efficiency. There are several Kanban tools and techniques for managing bottlenecks and improving flow, including limiting WIP, identifying and resolving blockers, and using expedite lanes to prioritise urgent work.
By managing bottlenecks effectively, you’ll be able to ensure that work is completed in a timely and efficient manner.
Improving your process with continuous improvement
Continuous improvement is a core principle of Kanban and involves regularly reviewing and analysing your work process to identify areas for improvement. This might involve conducting retrospectives, analysing metrics, and soliciting feedback from team members and stakeholders.
By continuously improving your process, you’ll be able to reduce waste, increase efficiency, and deliver higher-quality work.
Using Kanban in different contexts
Kanban can be applied in a variety of contexts, from software development to healthcare to marketing. While the basic principles of Kanban remain the same, the specific techniques and tools used may vary depending on the context.
Combining Kanban with other methodologies
Kanban can be used on its own, or in combination with other methodologies such as Agile or Lean. When combined with other methodologies, Kanban can provide additional benefits and help to address specific challenges.
Applying Kanban in different contexts
Kanban is a versatile methodology that can be applied in a variety of contexts, from software development to healthcare to marketing.
Kanban in software development
One of the most common contexts in which Kanban is used is software development. Kanban can be used to manage the development process, from requirements gathering to testing and deployment.
In this section, we’ll explore some of the specific techniques and tools used in Kanban for software development and provide some best practices for implementing Kanban in this context.
Kanban in healthcare
Kanban has also been successfully applied in healthcare settings, where it can be used to manage patient flow, improve efficiency, and reduce waste.
Kanban in marketing
Kanban can also be applied in marketing, where it can be used to manage campaigns, track progress, and ensure that tasks are completed in a timely and efficient manner.
Kanban in manufacturing
Kanban originated in manufacturing, where it was used to manage inventory and production. Today, Kanban is still used in manufacturing settings to manage inventory, track work in progress, and improve efficiency.
Adapting Kanban to other contexts
While Kanban has been successfully applied in a variety of contexts, it may need to be adapted to suit the specific needs and requirements of each context.
Advanced topics in Kanban
Kanban is a powerful methodology that can be used to manage work and improve efficiency in a variety of contexts. However, there are also some advanced topics in Kanban that can help you get even more out of the methodology.
Managing multiple teams with Kanban
Kanban can be used to manage work for a single team, but it can also be used to manage work across multiple teams.
Scaling Kanban
Kanban can also be scaled to manage work at a larger organisational level.
Integrating Kanban with other systems
Kanban can be integrated with other systems such as project management tools, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. By integrating Kanban in this way, it can provide even greater visibility and efficiency.
Kanban and DevOps
DevOps is a software development methodology that emphasises collaboration between development and operations teams. Kanban can be used in DevOps to improve communication, reduce waste, and improve the speed and quality of software delivery.
Continuous improvement with Kanban
Continuous improvement is a core principle of Kanban and involves regularly reviewing and analysing your work process to identify areas for improvement. By continuously improving your process with Kanban, you’ll be able to achieve even greater efficiency and quality in your work.
Conclusion
Kanban is a powerful methodology that can be used to manage work and improve efficiency in a variety of contexts. Although Kanban is used mainly to improve the workflow of teams and organisations, it can also be used for personal Kanban.
In this article, we’ve explored the basics of Kanban, including how to set up a Kanban system, manage work with Kanban, and apply Kanban in different contexts. We’ve also covered some advanced topics in Kanban, such as managing multiple teams, scaling Kanban, and integrating with other systems.
Now that you have a good understanding of Kanban, it’s time to take the next steps. Here are some recommendations for what to do next:
Try Kanban for yourself
The best way to learn Kanban is to try it for yourself. Start with a small project or a single team and set up a Kanban board to manage your work. Experiment with different techniques and tools and see what works best for your team.
Learn more about Kanban
There is a wealth of information available on Kanban, from books and articles to Kanban training courses. Consider investing in your Kanban knowledge by taking a course or getting certified in Kanban.
Connect with the Kanban community
There is a thriving community of Kanban practitioners and enthusiasts, both online and offline. Connect with other Kanban practitioners on social media, attend Kanban conferences and events, and join local Kanban user groups to learn from others and share your experiences.
Experiment with advanced Kanban techniques
Once you’ve mastered the basics of Kanban, start experimenting with some of the advanced techniques we’ve covered in this article. Try managing multiple teams with Kanban, scaling Kanban for larger projects, and integrating Kanban with other systems to see how they can improve your work.
By taking these next steps, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a Kanban expert and achieving even greater efficiency and quality in your work.
