Kanban

Definition

Kanban is a visual workflow management method that helps teams optimize efficiency and productivity by limiting work in progress and enhancing the flow of tasks. This approach is rooted in lean principles, emphasizing continuous improvement and just-in-time production, which allows teams to adapt quickly to changes in demand or project requirements.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Kanban originated from the Toyota Production System, where it was used to improve manufacturing processes by visualizing work and managing flow.
2. The core principle of kanban is to visualize the workflow using boards, cards, and columns to represent different stages of work, making it easy to track progress.
3. Kanban encourages teams to limit Work in Progress (WIP) to prevent bottlenecks and ensure that tasks are completed before new ones are started.
4. Kanban boards can be both physical and digital, allowing teams to collaborate remotely while maintaining visibility into their workflow.
5. One key aspect of kanban is the practice of continuous improvement, where teams regularly review their processes and make adjustments to enhance performance.

Review Questions

• How does kanban facilitate continuous improvement in a team's workflow?
  • Kanban facilitates continuous improvement by providing a visual representation of the workflow, allowing teams to easily identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies. Regularly reviewing the kanban board enables team members to discuss challenges and brainstorm solutions. This iterative process encourages teams to make incremental adjustments, enhancing overall productivity and effectiveness over time.
• Compare and contrast kanban with scrum in terms of their approaches to workflow management.
  • Kanban and scrum are both agile methodologies but differ significantly in their approaches. Kanban focuses on visualizing workflow and limiting work in progress, allowing for a continuous flow of tasks without fixed iterations. In contrast, scrum operates in fixed time-boxed sprints, requiring teams to complete a set amount of work within a specific timeframe. Both methods aim to increase efficiency, but kanban promotes flexibility while scrum emphasizes structured planning.
• Evaluate the impact of limiting Work in Progress (WIP) on team performance when using kanban, considering potential challenges and benefits.
  • Limiting Work in Progress (WIP) in kanban has a significant impact on team performance by promoting focus on completing tasks before starting new ones. This practice can reduce multitasking and increase overall throughput, leading to faster delivery of completed work. However, challenges may arise if WIP limits are set too low, potentially leading to idle time or frustration among team members. Striking a balance is crucial for maximizing benefits while ensuring steady workflow.

Related terms

Scrum:

A framework for agile project management that uses time-boxed iterations called sprints to facilitate team collaboration and deliver increments of work.

Lean Management: A methodology that focuses on minimizing waste while maximizing productivity and value in a process.

Work in Progress (WIP): The number of tasks or items currently being worked on at any given time, which kanban seeks to limit to improve workflow efficiency.