The Japanese words „kan” and „ban” can be loosely translated as „visible” and „sheet of paper”, but the whole term also means a plate with an information inscription or a signboard. The Kanban method is based on the visualization of the process, during which the so-called kanban board can be used, which can be physical or virtual. The simplest layout of such a board is a division into „to do”, „in progress” and „done” activities, which can be described at different levels of detail. The system used should depend on the needs for which the kanban board was created. It allows you to present both very simple processes as well as extremely complex processes involving many teams. The kanban board connects different teams focused on one task.

How does the Kanban method work?

In the beginning, the Kanban method used reusable cards. The cards of individual items were placed in the appropriate containers. In this case (very simplified) Kanban consists in the fact that the person who used the last part or the last component removed the card from the packaging and placed it on the board. For the employee responsible for the production of a given component or part, it was information that it was time to start the production process.

Currently, this method uses forms that are filled in in the correct order. The documents go from the dispatcher, through the planner, to the production worker. The relevant parts of the kanban are then returned to the dispatcher.