For those who are still wondering what the Kanban method is all about, Kanban is a series of steps which follows a technique to manage work as it moves through its lifecycle. The objective here is to identify risks and bottlenecks as you proceed with the development and fix them in order to make your product cost effective at an optimal output.
We all are familiar with the software development lifecycle, and its various stages to achieve the goal. Today, Kanban methodology has been widely used in the SDLC as a mean of project management and scheduling technique to fix testing issues before moving to the next stage. In other words, it has been proved and used as an Agile methodology implementation.
The Kanban Model in SDLC
The Kanban system was adopted some 50 years ago when Toyota started redefining its supply chain management system. When the team started implementing the Kanban method, they could easily manage the supply-demand chain which was difficult with their traditional system.
The software teams are now able to adopt the same method for their development by matching the expected and actual work in progress at every stage of SDLC. This has proven to facilitate flexible planning, transparency, clear focus and faster development within the team.
Since this method is applicable to any industry around the globe, its most effective outputs have been found in the software industry. The developers can start with the project without many resources and can have changes made as and when required in a particular SDLC stage.
The Kanban model handles everything in the lifecycle from the developer to the end-customer. In this manner, it helps to reduce disruptions and repetitive works at various stages. The aim is to produce high quality application in a low delivery time.
How does Kanban method work
All the work revolves around tools, the Kanban board, that visualizes work and analyses the work flow in the team. In any development, where a number of teams are involved, Kanban provides the freedom to jot down your personal tasks and workflows. This allows the whole team to have an in-depth understanding of how the teams works.
The next attribute is the Kanban Card, which resembles something close to the sticky notes on your desktop. Every Kanban card, which is duly signed off by a member, is then place on the board indicating the current work status of the team. When this system is customized, it serves the purpose of a middleman who can communicate the details with just a peep.
Each card is depicted with a colour so it’s easier to identify the type of work in progress. Known indicators like icons and snippets can be placed over the card to depict any urgency and priority. And the most amazing thing about the tool is, you can actually customize it the way you want it to work.
Now since all your information can be placed at a single site, the tool creates a system of an actual picture of your work progress. Minimizing the time spent to track down the report of progress, you can now get across high-value information between the team without any downside.
Benefits of using Kanban Methodology
Using Kanban is extremely simple, but also very sturdy. It follows a set of rules and principles in order to manage your projects. Once you go across these set of protocols, it will be fun working with the tool making your software development cycle a lot more easier and cheaper. Here are few benefits if using Kanban Board:
1. Risk Management and support
Risk management involves the activity of defining risks associated with the project development. With Kanban, though it is a bit difficult to analyse the risk factors with traditional approaches combined, we still need to customize the tool according to our needs. The risk register monitor in Kanban should be continuously updated and evaluated since the project scope can change anytime.
Since the modern techniques are evolving rapidly, development teams have seen that Kanban can quickly validate the results and track performance in high risk areas of the software.
2. Flexibility and systematic approach
The teams that face challenges of heavy workload and lesser time have found Kanban to be a good helping hand. It follows a systematic process to identify areas of concern which can result in increased efficiency.
The Kanban Method is a new practice, so everyone in the team can grasp the concept in their everyday work which helps them focus on a new initiative.
3. Production improvement
This is one of the main advantages Kanban has to offer. It easily brings down your overall cost and improves the production flow. Since Kanban system helps in scheduling of projects, you can now better manage your demand and supply chains. The system decreases the chances of over-production as well as under production which gives you ample time to plan and carry out your next strategy.
4. Kanban is Event-based
The Kanban system is event-based which is an advantage over the traditional timeboxed systems. The provisions are not based on pre-defined set of protocols, but it is based on the actual consumption resources. This makes the development process even simpler.
The Kanban board acts to determine the next set of area to be worked on when some external event triggers an action. With the system you are able to use many event driven functions like sharing, attribution, transit the work, endorse your work etc.
5. Fits all businesses
Going through this blog, certainly you might feel that Kanban is best only for IT sector. But that’s not the case. Kanban is universal and can be used by any type of industry, small or large. The tool was developed with an aim to manage and schedule the work in progress so as to respond more quickly to changing business demands.
Conclusion: –
Certainly you now know how important a system like Kanban can benefit your IT line. So, before you get one, make sure you have done a thorough research of your needs. After all, a successful solution for your team is the one that adapts to your workflows in an easy-to-go ways.
Various organizations, HR & recruitment firms, ad agencies, insurance institutes using the Kanban system for managing their day to day activities, reducing wastage and enhancing cost and quality.
