Number crunching and playing with statistics is good, but you can’t always shoot your shot blindly. Sometimes having visuals can turn the tide for you and what better way to visualize your project than using Kanban Methodology.
Kanban methodology advocates visual project management, helping teams work on their weaknesses and strengths and improve their overall efficiency. Having all the details displayed in front of you in an easily readable and understandable manner do you better than you can imagine.
The visual aid is not only helpful for the managers and stakeholders but also the team members. It keeps everyone on the team one with the aims and objectives of the project.
We have dedicated this post to help you understand the underpinning of Kanban methodology. We will start with a little flashback…
Kanban Methodology – A Brief Flashback
The word Kanban finds its roots in Japanese, meaning signboard or billboard. The methodology arose in the 1940s when Toyota introduced the ‘just in time’ technique for its production. Instead of a traditional push system, the methodology relied on customer demand for the production of goods.
The main aim of the technique is to provide more value to the customers and lower production costs. Kanban methodology keeps track of the process from the start to the finish, keeping an eye on every stage to make sure production does not overrun the demand.
The method is an efficient one that adds to the productivity of a team with lower costs. The method was further developed by David J. Anderson to take the shape we now know it in.
The quintessence of the method is four principles and six practices that we will discuss in the next section.
Four Core Principles of Kanban Methodology
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Kanban methodology is not merely a way of managing your workflows, its benefits are multifold. Reducing delivery time, increasing quality, improving efficiency, and boosting output are at the heart of the methodology.
The four core principles that guide the methodology are listed below:
1. Start With the Existing Workflow
Instead of starting anew and creating a new workflow from scratch, Kanban encourages incorporating changes in the existing workflow and making changes gradually.
2. Adopt An Incremental Approach
Kanban advocates incremental changes to avoid disrupting the smooth flow of work. In opposition to radical changes, small evolutionary steps will be more appreciated by the team members as well as the stakeholders.
3. Respect Existing Roles
Rather than transitioning into new roles or assigning new responsibilities, respect the existing roles of the team members and work with them accordingly. Kanban does not demand any changes in the roles or responsibilities of the members.
4. Encourage Leadership at All Levels
Every member of the team should be engaged in the process, the smallest valuable input from a member can turn the course of the process. Encourage sharing of ideas at all levels.
Six Key Practices of Kanban Methodology
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When adapting the Kanban methodology for your business, you have to be careful of the following six core practices, implementation of which is crucial for the success of the methodology:
1. Visualization
The main purpose of Kanban Methodology is to provide you with a complete outlook of the project, a bird’s eye view of the whole process.
Enter Kanban boards.
Kanban boards comprise columns and cards. Each column on the board indicates a stage in the process while each card indicates a specific task. A typical Kanban board has three columns:
- To-do – the tasks that are to be performed
- Doing – tasks in process
- Done – completed tasks
The columns, however, can be added as per the requirements of the workflow. The cards move from one column to the other, from start to end. Team members can view the progress of the project at a single glance.
There are tens and hundreds of project management tools you can use for this purpose, choose the best Kanban software that aligns with the requirements of your project and start working right away.
2. Limit The Work in Progress (WIP)
One of the core objectives of Kanban methodology is to limit the work in progress to avoid burnout and maintain a smooth flow of work. Limiting the work in progress implies restricting the number of tasks in a column.
Tasks are moved, if and when, there is available capacity. This ensures the high quality of the products, reduces time spent and costs.
3. Manage the Workflow
Kanban strives to improve efficiency in the workflow, which means removing any hurdles as well. Efficient management of workflow translates into quick identification of bottlenecks and rapid action to weed out any problems that might hinder the smooth flow.
With the workflow displayed in front of you, you can easily grab hold of the loopholes and resolve the issues as early as possible. With efficient management, you can avoid unnecessary delays and reduce the time for delivery.
You can make it much simpler and easier for yourself by using a Kanban tool for the purpose. Evaluate the best Kanban software in the market and choose the one that suits you best.
4. Make Policies Explicit
Clarity of goals is the premise for the efficient completion of tasks. To make sure that everyone understands the underpinnings of the project, explicitly define all the policies, and make sure everyone understands the fundamentals.
Every member of the team should have a clear understanding of all the policies and should have the freedom to ask questions or offer suggestions for improvement.
5. Implement Feedback Loops
The best way to improve the way you do business is to incorporate feedback loops. Conduct regular meetings to gather valuable insights from team members and identify strategies that will prove helpful for your project.
No methodology is perfect but with regular feedback and improvements, you can increase your chances of success.
6. Improve Collaboratively
Kanban methodology encourages incremental changes.
Baby steps.
The bottom line is to make small changes and improve, adapt, and evolve to enhance your productivity. With input from the whole team and clarity of the goals, you are sure to lead the way to success.
Conclusion
Kanban methodology is your shortcut to efficient workflows, smarter working, and obtaining better results in less time.
Project management tools with Kanban capabilities are the cherry on top, you can get the best Kanban software for your business at a ridiculously low price and gain all the benefits to drive your business to new heights of success.
We hope this article has answered all your queries regarding Kanban methodology, but if you still encounter any difficulty, you can get in touch with us, and we will get back to you right away.
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