An introduction to the Lean concept of improving and monitoring efficiency through visual cues called Kanban systems.

1. Section & Lesson #:
Pre-Requisite Lessons:
Complex Tools + Clear Teaching = Powerful Results
Kanban Systems
Lean – Lesson 3
An introduction to the Lean concept of improving and monitoring
efficiency through visual cues called Kanban systems.
None
Copyright © 2011-2019 by Matthew J. Hansen. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means
(electronic, mechanical, photographic, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without prior permission in writing by the author and/or publisher.

2. o What is a kanban system?
• Japanese term meaning “visual” or “signal”.
• It’s a production control system (often used with a JIT system) that uses visual cues to measure,
trigger, and control the flow of products at critical junctures within a process.
• Examples of visual cues that act like a kanban system:
Kanban System
Copyright © 2011-2019 by Matthew J. Hansen. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means (electronic, mechanical, photographic,
photocopying, recording or otherwise) without prior permission in writing by the author and/or publisher.
2
Illuminated checkout line numbers are a visual cue
to control the flow of the shopping process. They
help customers quickly know which line is open
and they help managers know when there’s a
problem (the flow has stopped).
Barcode scanning at registers help
control inventory levels and
automatic re-ordering of products.
In metro areas, electronic signs
posting accidents, construction
or travel time help alert drivers
and balance the flow of traffic.

3. Practical Application
o Identify at least three kanban systems you interact with regularly.
• Describe the process that is affected by each kanban system.
• What are the visual cues used in each process?
• How do these kanban systems make each process more efficient (if at all)?
• What would be the potential impact or results if each process didn’t have those visual cues?
Copyright © 2011-2019 by Matthew J. Hansen. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means (electronic, mechanical, photographic,
photocopying, recording or otherwise) without prior permission in writing by the author and/or publisher.
3