The Kanban methodology is a highly functional production system. It is part of agile methodologies and its goal is to manage the completion of tasks through to their conclusion.
Kanban methodology
Kanban is a Japanese word made up of Kan, meaning visual, and Ban, meaning card. Therefore, Kanban refers to visual cards. This methodology is very simple, can be updated, and work teams can adopt it without difficulty. Being a visual method, a quick glance reveals the status of projects and allows new tasks to be assigned very effectively. To apply it, a task board is needed to improve work and maintain a sustainable pace. In the early 21st century, the software industry realized that Kanban could make a real difference in the way products and services were produced and delivered. It was demonstrated that Kanban was useful not only for the automotive industry, but also for any other type of industry. That is how the Kanban method was born.
How does Kanban work?
Kanban is built around 4 principles:
1: Start with what you do now
Kanban requires no setup and can be applied to real workflows or active processes to identify problems. That is why it is easy to implement Kanban in any type of organization, since no drastic changes are necessary.
2: Commit to pursuing and implementing incremental, evolutionary changes
The Kanban method is designed to be implemented with minimal resistance, focusing on small, continuous, incremental, and evolutionary changes to the current process. In general, radical changes are not considered, because they typically meet with resistance due to fear or uncertainty about the process.
3: Respect current processes, responsibilities, and roles
Kanban acknowledges that current processes, roles, responsibilities, and titles may have value and are worth preserving. The Kanban method does not prohibit change, but it does not prescribe it either. It encourages incremental change, as it does not generate enough fear to stall progress.
4: Encourage leadership at all levels
This is the most novel principle of Kanban. Some of the best leadership emerges from the day-to-day actions of people who are at the forefront of their teams. It is important that everyone fosters a mindset of continuous improvement (Kaizen) to achieve optimal performance at the team, department, and company level. This cannot be a purely managerial activity.