Kanban is a scheduling system for lean and just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing. It is a visual system that helps teams manage work by using cards or sticky notes on a board. The system was developed by Toyota in the 1940s to improve manufacturing efficiency. Today, it is widely used in software development, project management, and other industries.
Kanban is a Japanese word that means "visual signal" or "card." The system uses a board with columns that represent the stages of a process. Each column has cards or sticky notes that represent work items. The cards move across the board as work progresses through the stages. The goal is to limit work in progress (WIP) and optimize the flow of work.
Kanban is based on the principles of lean manufacturing, which emphasizes continuous improvement, waste reduction, and customer value. The system is designed to be flexible and adaptable to different workflows and processes. It can be used for both individual and team tasks.
Kanban has four basic principles:
Visualize the workflow: The board should show the stages of the process and the work items in each stage.
Limit work in progress (WIP): The number of cards in each column should be limited to prevent overloading the system.
Manage flow: The cards should move across the board smoothly and quickly.
Make process policies explicit: The team should agree on the rules and policies for the process.
Kanban was developed by Taiichi Ohno, an industrial engineer at Toyota, in the 1940s. Ohno was looking for a way to improve the manufacturing process by reducing waste and increasing efficiency. He observed that workers would often produce more than what was needed, leading to excess inventory and waste.
Ohno developed the kanban system as a way to control the flow of materials and production. The system used cards to signal when materials were needed and when production should start or stop. This helped to reduce inventory and improve efficiency.
The kanban system was later adapted for use in software development by David J. Anderson in the early 2000s. Anderson used the system to manage software development projects and wrote a book on the subject, "Kanban: Successful Evolutionary Change for Your Technology Business."
Kanban has several features that make it a popular choice for managing work:
Visual: The system is highly visual, making it easy to see the status of work at a glance.
Flexible: Kanban can be adapted to different workflows and processes, making it a versatile tool.
Continuous improvement: The system is designed to encourage continuous improvement and learning.
Collaborative: Kanban encourages collaboration and communication among team members.
Lean: The system is based on the principles of lean manufacturing, which emphasizes waste reduction and customer value.
Here is an example of how kanban might be used in software development:
To Do: This column would contain cards representing the work that needs to be done.
In Progress: This column would contain cards representing work that is currently being worked on.
Testing: This column would contain cards representing work that is being tested.
Done: This column would contain cards representing work that is complete.
As work progresses, cards would move across the board from left to right. The team would limit the number of cards in each column to prevent overloading the system. The goal is to optimize the flow of work and deliver value to the customer.
Pros:
Visual: Kanban is highly visual, making it easy to see the status of work at a glance.
Flexible: Kanban can be adapted to different workflows and processes, making it a versatile tool.
Continuous improvement: Kanban encourages continuous improvement and learning.
Collaborative: Kanban encourages collaboration and communication among team members.
Lean: Kanban is based on the principles of lean manufacturing, which emphasizes waste reduction and customer value.
Cons:
Requires discipline: Kanban requires discipline and adherence to the system to be effective.
Limited scalability: Kanban may not be as effective for large-scale projects or teams.
Lack of structure: Kanban may not provide enough structure for some teams or projects.
There is some controversy over the effectiveness of kanban in software development. Some critics argue that the system may not be as effective as other methodologies, such as Scrum or Agile. Others argue that kanban is a valuable tool for managing work, but may not be suitable for all teams or projects.
Kanban is often used in conjunction with other software development methodologies, such as Agile or Scrum. It can also be used with other tools, such as project management software or collaboration tools.
Kanban is a simple yet powerful tool for managing work. It is based on the principles of lean manufacturing and encourages continuous improvement and waste reduction. While it may not be suitable for all teams or projects, it is a valuable tool for many software development teams.
Kanban is a popular tool for managing work in software development and other industries. It is highly visual, flexible, and encourages collaboration and continuous improvement. While it may not be suitable for all teams or projects, it is a valuable addition to any team's toolbox.