Kanban boards are physical or virtual charts used in lean manufacturing to keep project goals and tasks visible. Cards or tickets represent steps or activities, often color-coded for easy sorting. They eliminate roadblocks and maximize productivity while minimizing waste.
Typically, a kanban board is a physical chart located in a central area of a manufacturing facility. It is designed to keep project goals and tasks highly visible for all team members. Kanban boards are arranged in rows and columns, with each column or row representing a specific goal, project, or team member. Cards or tickets are inserted into this grid system to represent steps or activities related to each of these goals. Simple projects may require as few as a dozen cards, while complex projects can involve hundreds of kanban cards.
Kanban boards are a common tool used in lean manufacturing. During lean or just-in-time manufacturing, companies strive to minimize waste of materials, equipment, and time. Manufacturers using this strategy focus on ensuring that every dollar and minute spent in production translates into a profit. Named after a Japanese term for billboard or sign, Kanban boards help these businesses streamline their scheduling and to-do lists.
The cards used on kanban boards are often color-coded so team members can easily sort through tasks. High-priority jobs can be written on red cards, for example, while a specific employee can look for green cards to find her responsibilities. The cards can be self-adhesive or can be inserted into the slots built into each card. As tasks are completed or changed, the card is removed from the board or placed in a separate section. You can add new activities at any time by simply adding a new tab.
Some companies use virtual kanban boards instead of physical ones to facilitate communication. Manufacturers rely on special project planning software to create these boards, which often closely resemble their physical counterparts. Users can add or remove tasks with a click of the mouse or even drag and drop cards to different parts of the board. This type of application is an effective way for team members in different locations to work together on a project.
Kanban boards are designed to eliminate roadblocks in production and keep all team members on the same page. They serve as a continuous reminder of the tasks that should be completed to achieve the company’s goals. Employees aren’t left confused or unclear about the order in which tasks need to be performed, so they’re better equipped to get the job done. Like lean manufacturing, kanban boards are designed to eliminate waste and maximize productivity and profit.
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