Kanban is a Japanese term that means "visual signal" or "card." In product management, Kanban is a lean methodology that aims to improve the flow of work and increase efficiency in the production process. It involves the use of a visual board or card system to manage and track work in progress.
Kanban was first introduced by Taiichi Ohno, an industrial engineer at Toyota, in the 1940s. Ohno developed the Kanban system as a way to improve the efficiency of Toyota's manufacturing process. The system was based on the idea of "just-in-time" production, which meant that parts and materials were only ordered and delivered when they were needed, rather than being stockpiled in a warehouse.
The Kanban system uses a visual board or card system to manage and track work in progress. The board is divided into columns that represent different stages of the production process, such as "to do," "in progress," and "done." Each task or item is represented by a card or sticky note that is moved from column to column as it progresses through the production process.
The Kanban system is designed to limit the amount of work in progress at any given time, which helps to prevent bottlenecks and improve the flow of work. It also helps to identify and eliminate waste in the production process, such as overproduction, excess inventory, and unnecessary movement.
There are several benefits to using the Kanban system in product management:
The Kanban system is also highly flexible and adaptable, making it suitable for a wide range of industries and applications.
Kanban is a lean methodology that has been used successfully in product management for decades. It is a visual board or card system that helps to improve the flow of work and increase efficiency in the production process. By limiting the amount of work in progress and identifying and eliminating waste, Kanban can help to improve productivity, reduce lead times, and increase transparency and collaboration.