What is Kanban?
Definition: Kanban is a method for visual control of work processes, originating from the Toyota Production System. It aims to improve workflows and efficiency across various processes. The core principle of Kanban is to manage work using visual cards on a board.
How does the Kanban Method work?
In a Kanban system, tasks or work items are represented on cards displayed on a board. This board is divided into columns representing different phases of the workflow, such as "To Do," "In Progress," and "Done." As work progresses, cards move from one column to the next, providing a clear and up-to-date overview of the status of each task.
What are the benefits of the Kanban Method?
A key feature of Kanban is the visualization of work progress, allowing teams to instantly see what needs to be done, what is in progress, and what is completed. Often, limits are set on the number of tasks that can be in each phase at once. This helps prevent overload and ensures a steady workflow.
Kanban promotes continuous improvement by enabling regular reviews and adjustments to the workflow. Teams use information from the Kanban board to identify bottlenecks and optimize processes. Additionally, Kanban often uses a pull system, where new tasks are only moved into the next stage when there is capacity available, instead of pushing tasks regardless of current workload.
Where is Kanban used?
This method is widely applied in areas such as manufacturing, software development, and project management to increase efficiency, improve workflow, and support continuous improvement.