Why Do Organizations Use Kanban?
Kanban is an Agile framework that provides a visual approach to managing projects. It originated in 1940s Japan as a way for Toyota to improve its manufacturing processes. Since then, Kanban has evolved to suit many different projects and industries. So, why do organizations use Kanban? Here are five reasons behind the methodology’s popularity.
Better visibility
The core feature of Kanban is the Kanban board, which visualizes project tasks as cards that move through three columns: “To Do,” “Work in Progress,” and “Done.” The Kanban board allows everyone on the team to see project progress at a glance. Visualizing the process will enable you to highlight areas of inefficiency and eliminate issues as they occur.
Increased productivity
Eliminating inefficiencies allows your team to focus on the work, making them more productive. In Kanban, productivity is measured in cycle time (the time it takes for a task to pass through your process) and throughput (the number of tasks completed in a certain period). The faster your team can move tasks through the process, the more tasks you can complete.
More flexibility
Kanban is an Agile methodology that gives teams the ability to respond quickly to change, whether that’s new customer requirements or developments in your organization. The Kanban board is a flexible tool — the cards can be easily moved around to change deliverables, adjust due dates, and reassign resources. Team members can decide for themselves how best to complete the project rather than sticking to a rigid plan.
Better workload management
One of the key practices of Kanban is limiting work-in-progress, so there is never too much or too little to do. This is achieved through the “pull system,” in which new work is only “pulled” in when the team has the capacity to handle it. Team members don’t have to deal with numerous tasks simultaneously, allowing them to focus on the work at hand.
Continuous improvement
Kanban emphasizes continuous improvement. Collaboration and innovation are encouraged, as long as the team can agree on how to approach their work and any issues that may arise. By continuously improving your workflows and processes, you can maximize value to both your customers and your organization.
