Kanban meaning (what is it, concept and definition)

What is Kanban:

Kanban is a workflow and task management method used especially with companies working on software development.

Kanban derives from the Japanese which is made up of the word kan which means pictogram or something visual and the word ban that represents a card or cardboard.

Kanban uses flashy or picture cards (called kanban cards) to create a visual flow of tasks that are pending, in process, under evaluation or delivered in a dynamic way avoiding bottlenecks or accumulation of work that can seriously affect the quality and product delivery time.

The Kanban method derives from the Just-in-time (JIT) production system translated into Spanish as "just in time" of the Toyota company, which consists of doing only what is needed, for when it is needed and in the quantity needed with the in order to increase the speed of production.

How do I start using Kanban ?

To start using the Kanban method, you only need a white board and an English poster or post-it. First of all, the following points must be defined and analyzed:

• What is the production process? What stages are distinguished? : If you are a creative or software development company, production is the creative process until final delivery. Define the start and end of kanban: you don't need to define very clearly at the beginning. It is usually energized by taking shape as Kanban is being implemented. Define and discuss limits and policies for “temporarily” changing or breaking a kanban card. Define and discuss the process for determining priority and card selection. Define and discuss policies for different kinds of products: can be classified as priority, standard or very urgent, for example. You must answer the question: What card / job do I choose? and What are the estimated times ?. Define and discuss the frequency of reviews.

With the previous points defined, a table is drawn with the processes separated by a line and you can start pasting the posters in each process as Kanban cards and start implementing this tool.