Kanban

Kanban literally means ‘signboard’ or commonly referred to as a ‘signalling card’. It’s used to harmonise inventory levels. The accepted TPS definition of the Kanban card is one of a ‘pull system tool’. Toyota did good, again!

But years have passed and the word Kanban doesn’t mean just that to the modern world of progressive thinkers that have broadened the concept to link the wider organisation initiatives (upstream) to the execution of the work activities (downstream). It’s all about flow. The word is moot.

But to you and me, we still relate to Kanban cards on Kanban boards and we’re still correct; and it’s still OK to just see it this way as they are such a powerful way to run a process to improve flow efficiency.

Whilst I’m interested in understanding the value stream, from order to delivery, I’m more interested in concentrating on the work that’s required to be done right now – displayed on the Kanban board.

How do I weave the greatest ever band in the world (apart from Pink Floyd) in to a discussion about Kanban? Well, let’s take a look at the making of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, to see how much Touch Time and Waiting Time there was. With the caveat:

“Nothing is real
And nothing to get hung about
Strawberry Fields forever.”