Kanban card

Kanban card
See also
Project team Meeting the requirements Flow analysis 10 kaizen principles Critical-to-quality tree Small team Continuous operations Business architecture Shewhart cycle

Kanban cards are visual signals used in management to indicate the status of a task or process. They are usually placed on a board and contain information such as the task's title, the responsible person, and its current status. Kanban cards are used in Lean and Agile methods to track the progress of tasks, prioritize work, and identify bottlenecks. Kanban cards are also used to help teams visualize their workflow and improve the flow of work by establishing limits on the amount of work in progress. They can be used in any process that involves multiple steps and multiple individuals.

Example of kanban card

• Kanban cards are used in software development to track the progress of tasks and prioritize work. For example, a Kanban card for a software development project might include the task title, the responsible person, and its current status, such as “in progress,” “in review,” or “completed.” The card might also include estimated time to completion, any blockers, and other relevant information.
• Kanban cards are also used in manufacturing to track the progress of work on the factory floor. For example, a Kanban card for a particular product might include the type of product, the responsible person, and its current status, such as “in production,” “in quality control,” or “finished.” The card might also include the number of units produced, estimated time to completion, any necessary materials, and other relevant information.
• Kanban cards are also used in project management to track the progress of tasks and prioritize work. For example, a Kanban card for a project might include the task title, the responsible person, and its current status, such as “in progress,” “in review,” or “completed.” The card might also include estimated time to completion, any blockers, and other relevant information.

When to use kanban card

Kanban cards can be used in a variety of different tasks and processes, including:

• Project management: Kanban cards can be used to help teams track progress, prioritize tasks, and identify bottlenecks in a project.
• Manufacturing: Kanban cards can be used to track the progress of a product through different stages of production.
• Software development: Kanban cards can be used to visualize workflows, prioritize tasks, and limit the amount of work in progress at any given time.
• Continuous improvement: Kanban cards can be used to track and measure the progress of continuous improvement initiatives.
• Supply chain management: Kanban cards can be used to track the flow of materials and components through a supply chain.
• Customer service: Kanban cards can be used to track customer support requests and ensure that all customer issues are addressed in a timely manner.

Types of kanban card

Kanban cards are a tool used in Lean and Agile methods to visualize and track the progress of tasks, prioritize work, and identify bottlenecks. There are several types of kanban cards that can be used to help teams manage their workflows. These include:

• Task cards: These cards contain all the information related to a specific task, such as the task's title, the responsible person, and its current status, as well as any notes related to the task.
• Workflow cards: These cards are used to visualize the progress of a task or process by showing the steps involved in completing the task.
• Priority cards: These cards are used to rank tasks and prioritize work items.
• Bottleneck cards: These cards are used to identify and address bottlenecks in a process or workflow.
• Retrospective cards: These cards are used to review the progress of a task or process and identify areas of improvement.

Advantages of kanban card

Kanban cards are a useful tool for improving the flow of work and ensuring that tasks are completed in a timely manner. They provide teams with an easy-to-read visual representation of the workflow and make it easier to track the progress of tasks. Some of the advantages of using kanban cards include:

• Increased visibility: Kanban cards make it easier to identify bottlenecks, prioritize tasks, and determine when tasks are overdue. This allows teams to quickly adjust their workflow and ensure tasks are completed on time.
• Flexibility: Kanban cards are easy to update as tasks progress, allowing teams to quickly adjust their workflow as needed. This makes it easier for teams to respond to changing requirements and adjust their approach quickly.
• Better communication: Kanban cards provide a clear and concise way to communicate the current status of tasks and ensure everyone is on the same page. This makes it easier for teams to collaborate and work together more efficiently.

Limitations of kanban card

Kanban cards have several limitations that should be considered when implementing them in a process. These include:

• Limited visibility: Kanban cards only provide limited visibility into the status of a task or process. The card itself only contains basic information, making it difficult to assess a task’s progress or complexity.
• Inability to track dependencies: Kanban cards do not help to identify or track any dependencies between tasks, making it difficult to prioritize work.
• Lack of customization: Kanban cards are limited to a few fields and are not easily customized to meet specific needs.
• Inability to track time: Kanban cards do not provide any way to track the amount of time spent on a task or the total time needed to complete it.
• Potential for misuse: Kanban cards are not always used correctly, leading to an inefficient use of resources and an inaccurate understanding of the process.

Other approaches related to kanban card

Kanban cards are a visual tool used in Lean and Agile management to track tasks, prioritize work, and identify bottlenecks. Other approaches related to kanban cards include:

• Visual Kanban Systems: Visual Kanban systems are a more advanced version of the traditional physical Kanban card. It allows users to create a visual representation of their workflow and display the information in a more interactive manner. This is done by using digital boards, dashboards, and other software tools.
• Kanban Software: Kanban software is a type of project management software that uses kanban cards to help teams manage their tasks and workflow. It allows users to create a visual representation of their workflow, assign tasks, and track progress.
• Kanban Simulation: Kanban simulations are a type of game or exercise used to help teams understand the concepts and benefits of Kanban. The simulation can be used to test and refine the Kanban process, and help teams become familiar with the Kanban methodology.
• Kanban Workshop: A Kanban workshop is a guided session that helps teams brainstorm ideas and develop a plan for using Kanban in their workflow. It is often used as a way to get teams up to speed on Kanban and learn how to apply it to their project.

In conclusion, Kanban cards are an important tool that can help teams improve their workflow and become more efficient. Other approaches related to kanban cards, such as visual kanban systems, kanban software, kanban simulations, and kanban workshops, can all help teams understand and apply Kanban to their workflow.

Suggested literature

• Wakode, R. B., Raut, L. P., & Talmale, P. (2015). Overview on kanban methodology and its implementation. IJSRD-International Journal for Scientific Research & Development, 3(02), 2321-0613.
• Rahman, N. A. A., Sharif, S. M., & Esa, M. M. (2013). Lean manufacturing case study with Kanban system implementation. Procedia Economics and Finance, 7, 174-180.