Kanban For Dummies

Kanban For Dummies
Contents
Kanban .................................................................................................................................................. 4
Kanban For Dummies ........................................................................................................................... 5
Who Uses Kanban? ...............................................................................................................................................................5
How Does Kanban Help? ....................................................................................................................................................5
Is Kanban Complicated To Use? ......................................................................................................................................6
Rules Of Kanban.................................................................................................................................... 7
Kanban Examples ................................................................................................................................. 9
Example 1: Process Management ...................................................................................................................................9
Example 2: Worker Management ................................................................................................................................. 10
Example 3: Inventory Management ............................................................................................................................ 10
Kanban Work Flow.............................................................................................................................. 12
Kanban Implementation .................................................................................................................... 14
Set WIP Limits ...................................................................................................................................................................... 14
Analyze Work Flow And Make Improvements ........................................................................................................ 15
Design The Kanban System............................................................................................................................................ 15
Develop The Kanban System ......................................................................................................................................... 16
Test The Kanban System ................................................................................................................................................. 16
Kanban Project Management ............................................................................................................ 18
Collaboration ....................................................................................................................................................................... 18
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Brainstorming...................................................................................................................................................................... 19
Visual Management .......................................................................................................................................................... 19
Continual Improvement .................................................................................................................................................. 20
Leankor Kanban Tutorial ................................................................................................................... 21
Home Screen Overview ................................................................................................................................................... 21
Viewing Project Boards .................................................................................................................................................... 21
Creating A Kanban Card .................................................................................................................................................. 21
Creating A New Value Stream ....................................................................................................................................... 22
Tracking Kanban Card Movement ............................................................................................................................... 23
Creating A New Kanban Card Category..................................................................................................................... 23
Using The Kanban Board ................................................................................................................................................. 24
Kanban Mobile App ............................................................................................................................ 25
Leankor Kanban App Setup ........................................................................................................................................... 25
Why Kanban? ....................................................................................................................................................................... 26
Why Leankor? ..................................................................................................................................... 27
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Kanban
Projects of all sizes and types require structured management to be completed
efficiently, correctly and on time. While some processes are simple, others are very
complex and involve a set of sub-processes. If any step is omitted, the entire
project may be affected. Managing work flow and information flow is important.
Kanban is one of the most effective methods for managing the processes in any
project. This concept is designed to give people a more efficient work flow by
optimizing all tasks involved. A more efficient process ensures projects are
completed quickly and effectively.
Kanban is a fusion word with Japanese roots. The word “kan” means visual, and
the meaning of the word “ban” is card. As a common Japanese term, the combined
words are commonly used to refer to billboards or visual boards. With any software
program or management system utilizing a Kanban concept, the use of boards or
cards is a visualization technique that helps identify progress, tasks and
organization details in a central location.
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Kanban For Dummies
Learning how to use the Kanban method for project management processes may
seem like a daunting task at first. However, Leankor incorporates it into a software
program that presents the information in a logical layout and provides a visual
demonstration of how the product works. Visit Leankor’s site now to receive a free
no-obligation video demonstration that shows how to use their Kanban software in
a little over 30 minutes.
Who Uses Kanban?
Anyone who wants to simplify the processes in any size or type of project can
benefit from a Kanban system. Programmers use it to develop software.
Housewives use it to organize grocery and pantry inventory. Busy professionals
use it to organize the daily tasks in their businesses and personal lives. Even
college students use it to organize their homework and study schedules. Kanban
helps anyone who needs assistance in organizing tasks for a business or personal
project. If the project takes only 30 minutes or as much as 30 months, Kanban
optimizes and simplifies it.
How Does Kanban Help?
Kanban is a tool that uses Lean principles to help anyone who needs assistance
planning and completing a project. The term “Lean” refers to optimizing processes.
As a term once used only in the manufacturing industry, it is actually applicable to
processes in a variety of industries as well as processes in a person’s individual
life. Lean involves analyzing processes to identify and remove wastefulness. It is
similar to the idea of evaluating energy use to make green improvements but in a
variety of task-related processes instead.
For example, one of the processes in a home renovation project includes painting
the living room walls and setting up an anchored bracket system for a television
that must be ordered online. Waiting for the television bracket system to arrive
before starting the painting project is considered as a form waste.
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To optimize this part of the project, it is best to start the painting project while
waiting for the bracket system to arrive. A Kanban system makes it easy to identify
ways such as this to save time and complete the project quicker. This cuts down
on unnecessary wastes of time. In nearly any type of business project, wasted time
means wasted money.
Is Kanban Complicated To Use?
One of the biggest benefits of the Kanban system is how easy it is to use. Leankor’s
Kanban software is designed to be easy for anyone to learn. With the adaptive
features of a Kanban system, there is no need to completely change a project
management method. Kanban is not a set of rigid rules but rather a set of logical
and adaptive tools designed to help analyze and modify a project’s processes.
When utilizing Kanban’s tools, it is easy to paint a visual picture of the entire
process and the tasks required to complete it. The processes are easy to visualize
for a better overall view of the entire project.
By painting a clear visual picture of everything, Kanban allows users to identify
areas of waste to remove. A clear overall view also simplifies the task of making
improvements. Using the optimization principles of Kanban means there is no need
to change work methods until waste and areas for improvement are identified.
Since Kanban has user-friendly tools, anyone can use them to adapt their working
style to meet their own project goals.
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Rules Of Kanban
A Toyota industrial engineer named Taiichi Ohno developed the Kanban system
as a way to control logistics for production and to provide optimal inventory
control. Part of practicing Lean principles is using visual cards to identify necessary
tasks such as completing a process or replenishing inventory. The original Kanban
system was developed on a factory floor and was used as part of a pull system for
Toyota.
Processes in a pull system are determined by customer demand. The Kanban
system was used as a just-in-time or JIT pull system, which means it used signals
for determining production progress and inventory needs. The cards or boards
were a centralized location for vital information about a process and what was
needed to complete it. Toyota developed six rules for an effective Kanban system.
These rules can be adapted and applied to any project management plan.
1. Precise amounts of items determined by the Kanban model must be
withdrawn in downstream processes. In the original inventory system, this
referred mostly to inventory items being removed or used. This could easily apply
to a project management plan where a building is under construction. While there
may be an inventory of tangible items, there can also be an inventory of tasks to
complete.
2. Items must be produced in amounts specified by the Kanban for upstream
processes. For determining supply and demand ratios, this is a helpful idea. It also
applies to projects where tasks or processes must be completed to meet demands.
3. Do not move or create any item without a Kanban. Part of a useful Kanban
system in a physical or virtual setting is ensuring that every task has a Kanban
card.
4. Every item should be accompanied by a Kanban. As every physical item in an
inventory should have a Kanban card to make supply tracking easier, every
process in a project should have a Kanban card or category to make it easier to
track the status of that process.
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5. Never send incorrect amounts or defects to the following downstream
process. Processes should move upward and forward for both virtual and physical
settings. This helps reduce delays, bottlenecks and other issues.
6. When reducing the number of Kanbans to reveal problems and lower
inventories, do so carefully. Every successful Kanban system must undergo some
changes and modifications. It is normal to add more Kanbans as necessary.
However, it is very important to exercise care when removing any Kanbans. They
may be a vital part of the process to one or more teams or participants even if they
are unnecessary to another team or participant.
These rules are also applicable to business processes in a project. No task or
process should be without a Kanban card. With a centralized location for
information, task designation and process status, it is easier to ensure incorrect or
unnecessary information is not sent. Tasks and information are also sent in the
right direction. Instead of backtracking with information or completing steps out of
order, it is easy for all people involved in the project to know what they need to
do, who is doing what and what must be done next.
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Kanban Examples
The best way to understand the Kanban method is to see how it works in examples.
Developing a mental picture of how it works makes it much easier to digest the
information in a written tutorial and put the methods into practice. Consider the
following examples.
Example 1: Process Management
A Kanban system is useful for keeping track of processes, updating information
and relaying messages. For example, consider a law firm that must obtain and
verify a legal description of a land parcel to finish a purchase agreement to mail.
The legal description is in a large land index book at the courthouse. This means
someone must go pick up a photo copy of the land index record and the legal
description. Since the firm is large, the tasks are designated to employees in
different departments. The steps are placed on a Kanban board that displays
various tasks and stages of their progress. In this example, the four employees will
have the option to update the status of their work by indicating that their tasks are
in the process of being completed or have already been completed. This lets any
other related parties know the status of the processes to better determine the
status of the project itself and estimate an accurate completion time.
Employee A must go to the courthouse to pick up copies of the legal description
and land index records. When Employee A finishes this task, the completion is
indicated on the board along with an alert for the next task to be completed.
Employee B must then type the legal description and double-check it for accuracy.
After doing so, Employee B must send it to Employee C for review and approval.
Employee B places the updated information on the Kanban board. After this,
Employee C is alerted to review and approve the document. When Employee C
approves the document, information is updated on the Kanban board to show
Employee D that it is time to send out the document. Employee D is able to quickly
print the document packet and mail it.
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After all tasks are completed, the project is also complete. The Kanban is the
centralized place for information updates. By using the board to communicate and
track the processes of the project, the overall result is task optimization and
finishing the project in a timely manner. If this is a common set of processes in the
law firm, the Kanban can be analyzed to determine any parts of processes that are
considered waste, to identify ways to cut time spent on a task and to identify ways
to make the process more efficient.
Example 2: Worker Management
A software program using the Kanban concept is also useful for managing workers
and their tasks. For example, consider a busy executive who has just hired four
interns for the summer. The executive has a large volume of tasks that must be
completed each day. While some tasks are high priorities because they are
connected to upcoming deadlines, some tasks are lower in priority. These tasks
can be moved to rows on the Kanban board for specific interns to complete. They
can also be placed into columns that indicate they are in process or are completed
by the workers. By using a Kanban system to communicate tasks with interns, it is
easier to save time and keep track of the status of each task. This eliminates the
need to have meetings every day or every week to assign tasks to the interns and
discuss priorities.
Example 3: Inventory Management
Another way to utilize an electronic Kanban system is by creating an inventory.
Any office, warehouse or business that keeps an inventory of business necessities
or merchandise can use a Kanban system to keep track of how many items are in
stock, what items need to be reordered and updated amounts of inventory after
supplies have been replenished. A Kanban inventory system would involve
placing cards on physical items. These cards serve as a way to identify goods by
name or number to match the inventory entries in the electronic system. As items
are used, the cards are removed and put in a central location. Someone updates
the electronic portion of the Kanban system to reflect the deficit in inventory.
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When it is time to replenish goods, a notification is made to reorder the needed
items. A Kanban system of this type is also useful for management to track which
merchandise items sell best and which ones do not. Having an organized system
for counting and identifying every item makes workplace theft less attractive to
employees. It is also a great way to save time by eliminating the need to do
inventory every week or every few weeks. The inventory system can be arranged
in a way that is easy for everyone to understand and to know the exact amount of
supplies on hand at any time. The best form of example for understanding Kanban
is to see a visual demonstration. To see how a software-based Kanban
organizational system works, contact Leankor for a free no-obligation
demonstration that only lasts about 30 minutes. This demonstration makes it easy
to quickly learn how to start saving time and money with Kanban.
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Kanban Work Flow
Kanban simplifies the entire work flow of a process. Visualization is the key to
success. When people have the ability to visualize the process, they are able to
understand how each task transitions from being incomplete to being completed.
For complex projects that involve a large volume of processes, steps and tasks,
visualization is vital. Without a visual representation for the process, steps and
tasks are omitted. Also, parts of the process that are considered waste are harder
to identify before they wind up costing time and money.
Most companies use charts and tables for visual aids. While these may be more
helpful than not using any visual management aids, the charts and tables are
usually left in places that are harder to access. Without visual management aids
and a solid outline of necessary processes in a centralized location, all people
involved have a harder time remembering what they need to do. Imagine being
able to digitally capture the current progress of a process and allowing all involved
people to have access to it. With a software program implementing Kanban
concepts, this is both possible and easy. Picture every party from the CEO to the
members of the task teams being able to see the same real-time information and
knowing exactly what they need to do and when they need to do it.
It is easy to understand how Kanban concepts are useful for a process. Imagine
being able to access all Kanban boards for several processes belonging to
different projects that are being completed concurrently. For example, a real
estate agent who has several deals going at once has important deadlines and
tasks to complete. Trying to organize deadlines and tasks in a planner or even
using computer software can be difficult. People may read their reminders, think
they will complete them soon and then forget. With a Kanban board, tasks must
be completed or started before updating the system. The Kanban board is also
helpful for identifying ways to multi-task through separate projects.
For example, consider the real estate agent referenced in the previous paragraph.
If she has one pending deal going where she must contact an appraiser who is
hard to contact and sees on a Kanban board for another project that she has to
contact the same appraiser for information on the other pending deal, she could
save some time by contacting the appraisal company about both pending deals
at the same time.
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While this is a simple example, the same concept can be applied on much larger
scales.
Businesses that use strategy deployment models or similar processes can benefit
from Kanban board structures with how easy it is to upload each document. When
the documents are uploaded, they can be turned into a plan and divided into tasks.
The Kanban board makes it easier to monitor the status and success of the plans
and to help work teams generate more thorough and accurate progress reports.
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Kanban Implementation
The most difficult part of changing any business process is usually the actual
implementation of the new system. However, the adaptive and supportive nature
of Kanban concepts make systems using these tools easier to implement.
However, there are several important steps involved in proper implementation of
a Kanban system.
The simple outline of steps to complete a Kanban-based project are analysis,
design, development, testing and using.
The first and most important step in implementing Kanban concepts for business
processes is using the visual management benefits covered in the previous section.
After completing that part of the process, the next step is to set work-in-process or
WIP limits.
Set WIP Limits
While it is important to identify areas of waste, it is even more important to be
judicious in which processes or projects to work on at the same time. Consider the
real estate agent in the previous section again as an example. If she has 10
pending deals going, she may overtax herself by trying to complete processes
involved in each of the 10 deals concurrently. If half of the deals are not expected
to close for a couple months or are not as sure to go through as the other half are,
the agent should only focus on the deals that are higher priorities first.
The idea behind setting limits is to get more done by doing less. This idea may not
make sense at first thought. However, it makes perfect sense in a Kanban system.
When people take on too much, it can create more work instead of making tasks
involved in a process more efficient. The limits for each person or business
depends on the nature of the project and individual limitations. If a team is working
on projects together, it is even more important to carefully choose how many
projects or processes to run concurrently. Sacrificing efficiency to attempt to
complete a larger volume of work should never be an acceptable policy. With a
Kanban system in place, it is much easier to find an optimal amount of projects to
run concurrently.
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Analyze Work Flow And Make Improvements
Objective measurement is an important part of making improvements to any
business process or project. This is also true with any system using Kanban
concepts. It is important to remember that Kanban is not an overhaul of an existing
organizational system. Kanban complements the system by making the tasks that
a person or team does easier by improving those tasks. There is no need to worry
about starting fresh and having to completely change a process. If certain parts of
repetitive processes are already functioning well, they will not be completely
changed by implementing a Kanban-based system.
Use the valuable tools of the Kanban boards to analyze the status of a process. A
good analysis makes it possible to identify weaknesses, waste and any changes
that must be made. While some systems that involve structured project
management come with risks in implementation, Kanban comes with minimal risks
because of its adaptive nature. Individuals and businesses looking for ways to
simplify processes without taking the risk of losing money and time can benefit
from Kanban concepts.
Design The Kanban System
After analyzing and mapping out the processes involved in the overall project, the
next step is designing a Kanban board. For more complex projects that include
several sub-projects, create several Kanban boards. Part of the design process
includes deciding who will complete different tasks. Decide what types of columns
and sections to put on the Kanban board. It is best to set up cards to benefit the
overall process. For example, a card may have categories for various tasks, teams,
workers and task priority levels. Think about how the Kanban board will look as
people move task cards into columns for updates.
One of the biggest mistakes people make when mapping a project and organizing
the processes involved in it is visualizing an ideal project instead of the true
process. Looking at the project objectively and realistically makes it easier to map
out the project in an optimal manner. Start by mapping a process in its actual
existence. By looking at it and planning realistically, it is possible to avoid pitfalls,
identify waste and make any necessary modifications.
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Develop The Kanban System
To complete this step, use the plans from the previous steps. When creating the
Kanban cards and boards, it is important to think about what each one must have.
The boards should be organized to outline all necessary tasks and their priorities.
If multiple boards are used for separate projects or sub-projects of a larger project,
think realistically about how much work each individual or team can handle.
Use the minimum workload from the analysis. For example, if one part of the team
has simpler tasks and can handle 10 projects but a smaller team with more
complex tasks can only handle five projects at a time, it is important to go with the
lower number. Overloading one team or individual with too much work can slow
processes and affect the overall outcome of the project. The work-in-process limits
for teams and individual workers must always be a priority in this phase.
Test The Kanban System
After setting up an electronic Kanban system for a process or project, it is essential
to test the system. Since Kanban includes simple and user-friendly concepts, it is
easy to teach team members and all involved individuals how to use the system.
To test the system, set up a practice run. Have each involved individual or team
work on a simulated project for practice.
The first project should serve as a way to identify any waste, weaknesses and
necessary modifications. Make modifications as needed and retest. In the previous
step, the importance of setting lower WIP limits rather than large ones was
highlighted. In the testing phase, it is easier to identify delays, bottlenecks, waste
and any other parts of the process that need to be changed. If WIP limits are too
high, it is harder to pinpoint these issues. If they remain unresolved for a longer
amount of time, this slows down all processes and ends up costing more time and
money.
If a team is used to a high WIP limit and is stubborn about switching to a lower limit,
consider implementing a moderate WIP limit. This moderate limit can slowly be
adjusted to reach an ideal WIP limit that yields the most efficient results. It is
possible to try adding a small amount of additional work for multiple processes if
teams and workers are consistently performing the assigned tasks on time.
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Test the increased WIP limit to see if it is reasonable. If performance suffers, go
back to the old WIP limit. When workers and teams excel with the new WIP limit,
keep testing to reach an optimal work flow.
When monitoring the success of a Kanban board system, be sure to consider
accuracy and thoroughness of work processes. Consider the WIP limits of all
different departments. For example, the WIP limit may be smaller than necessary
for a team in one department but may be too high for a team in another
department. Finding a balance takes careful analysis and development. To see
how to start planning, developing, testing and using a solid Kanban system for
project management, visit Leankor.com for a free no-obligation demonstration. The
demonstration lasts about 30 minutes and provides tips for getting started with
Leankor’s collaborative Kanban software.
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Kanban Project Management
When applied to project management, Kanban is one of the most useful systems.
With Kanban concepts in place, individuals and businesses can fine-tune regular
and unique processes to be completed efficiently. Kanban is its own concept, and
project management also comes with several rules of its own. Combining the two
requires a conceptual fusion. There are several key ideas to remember when
searching for a Kanban project management organizational system.
Collaboration
This is one of the most essential parts of any successful project management plan.
When one person develops a Kanban system or any other project management
plan alone, it will only reflect that one individual’s ideas and information. Using a
collaborative approach opens the door for more creative solutions and ideas that
will work for everyone. As mentioned before in this e-book, it is important to set
WIP limits that work best for everyone. The same rule applies when it comes to
developing ideas for the new Kanban project management program.
For example, a whole app development project idea formed by a member of upper
management may not be as realistic as an idea formed with the help of the team
of developers. The manager is more likely to develop the idea with a focus on
supervision and task delegation but may not know how long it takes to complete
different stages of the app’s development. Since the development team knows
how long each part of the project should take, they can provide valuable input
about deadlines and ways to multi-task throughout the process. One part of the
team may be able to complete a process in the development project while another
part of the team finishes another process. This eliminates some waste and
enhances efficiency.
Keep team members engaged and involved to receive everyone’s input and to
keep all parties interested in the project. If they are simply assigned tasks to
complete, they may not put as much effort into it as they would if they were
genuinely interested in the success of the project. People are more interested in
projects where they have something invested. This does not necessarily mean a
monetary investment but rather an investment of contributed ideas.
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Consider posting videos, photos and media for people to view. The media should
reflect different ideas or processes. Let the team members cast votes for their
favorite ideas or the ones they think would work best. Ask for help creating Lean
ideas. If everyone helps identify areas of waste and weakness, it is easier to finetune processes for optimal completion dates. When ideas are presented in a
platform similar to social media where team members and board participants can
follow, vote and add comments, they are more likely to stay involved and stay
interested. With a Kanban software system, participants can vote on every idea
placed on a card.
Brainstorming
This idea is closely related to collaboration. Put a team effort into brainstorming
ideas. With a solid Kanban software program, brainstorming sessions are easy to
create. At the end of the brainstorming session, there should be plenty of ideas to
consider. The great part about collaborative Kanban software today is that it is
possible to brainstorm with remote teams. If a project involves several individuals
or teams in different parts of the globe, they can participate in the brainstorming
session just as they would if they were sitting in the same room.
Visual Management
Seeing the progress of every process and every concurrent project in one place is
a great benefit for any business. Imagine opening a software program, seeing
boards with every process of a project and the status of each task instantly. If a
project is being completed for a customer who calls frequently to check the status
and ask for an estimated time of completion, it is much easier to determine how
long the process will last based on up-to-the-minute information about the status
of each task.
Being able to see this information and giving all participants a way to communicate
it in a central location saves on having to relay emails, call participants to ask
about their progress and holding meetings to determine where everyone is at in
terms of progress. The customizable content on Kanban software cards allows all
vital information to be available at a single glance. Cards may indicate work
packages containing several tasks or simple individual tasks.
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Continual Improvement
Collaboration is essential even after the initial development of an idea. As a project
or a repetitive process progresses, ask team members to provide Lean
improvement suggestions. Since they are the ones doing the tasks, they may figure
out ways to cut time and modify processes that have unnecessary steps or can be
completed concurrently with another process instead of waiting until the other
process is done. When processes are constantly improved, it is easier to reach an
ideal set of rules for tasks. Using the visual strategy benefits of a Kanban software
system, project managers and team managers can better determine the health of
a project and the effectiveness of each process in the project.
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Leankor Kanban Tutorial
Leankor is a solid Kanban software for project management. The tools provided in
the program make it easy to plan, develop, implement, analyze and modify any
set of processes. After completing the first step of choosing a membership plan
that best fits business needs, it is time to start using the software’s advantageous
features.
Home Screen Overview
After first logging in to the program, the home screen appears. This screen provides
a comprehensive overview of projects and their boards. Ideas are placed in a feed
where they can be voted on, commented on or followed. If members have any
specific projects assigned to them, these are visible on the home screen. Analytic
data is accessible through a link on the home screen as well.
Viewing Project Boards
When there are multiple projects running concurrently, use the Project Boards tab
at the top of the home screen to view the boards. Right click on the button to open
the boards in a separate tab. Use the arrows on either side at the top to scroll
through the different project boards. To select a project board to work on, simply
click on that board. Managers who need to analyze the progress of a process or
project can scroll through specific columns where individuals are assigned
different tasks. At the bottom of the page, there are folders that show templates,
active boards and tests. The folders contain all of the various project boards for
each category.
Creating A Kanban Card
Use the template folder at the bottom of the Project Boards page to open a
template relevant to the type of project that needs to be completed. Look for the
plus sign on the bottom left corner. After clicking on it, notice that several circles
expand from it. Click on the card icon to create a new Kanban card.
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The sections are labeled and can be changed. Choose a category for the card. For
example, if it is a to-do task, label it as a task. There is a blank section where the
card can be named. This is where to put the name of the task. Fill in a description
below the task that provides any details or where to find information about the task
for the person who must complete it. Add the due date to the card. Members who
create cards are listed as the owners of the cards so that team members know
where and who the cards came from.
To edit a Kanban card, right click on the Kanban Carousel button on the home
screen to open the card in a separate tab. Open the project board to see the
Kanban card. The small pen button on the upper right side of the Kanban card is
the icon to select to edit the card. A Harvey ball next to the pen is the indicator of
the task’s completion status. If half of it is filled in, this means the project is about
halfway done. It is also visible in quarters.
The orange box to the left of this indicates the amount of time spent on the project.
On the left side of the card is the category or type of Kanban card. Notice the
stickers on the bottom left side of the card. There are several types of stickers to
add to the card. Click on the plus sign on the bottom left side of the page to open
the four icons. Use the bottom icon to the right of the plus sign to click and drag
into the Kanban card. Some cards indicate that there have been polls and
discussions on them, which is visible just to the right of the star at the bottom of the
card.
When editing a Kanban card, it is possible to change the size and assigned user.
Choose a priority level for a Kanban card. Task cards that remain unfinished and
start as low priorities can later be edited to reflect higher priority levels. Due dates
can also be changed using the calendar drop-down menu next to the priority status
selection menu. Select time frames for effort to put toward completion below these
menus. The Harvey balls next to this can be selected to indicate the overall
progress of the project in quarters.
Creating A New Value Stream
It may be necessary to add a new value stream to the status bar or another list
after creating a Kanban board template. To do this, right click on the Kanban
Carousel button on the home screen to open the page in a new tab.
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Choose the right board from the carousels. After the right board is displayed, click
on the middle button on the lower left side of the page to create a new value
stream. On the top left side, type in the name that should display on the carousel.
The next bar is for relating the value stream to a project. Click on the icon to the
right of the bar to bring up the Lookup window. Choose the right category from the
search bar on the Lookup window. Save the value stream after adding the
specifications for it.
On the top bar, click on the design mode button to show design customization
options. There are several background layouts to choose from. Alternately, users
can upload a background from their own device. Backgrounds are available by
selecting the library button. Click on the resize button to change the display size.
Click, hold and swipe up and to the sides to resize the layout to the desired
specifications.
Tracking Kanban Card Movement
Project managers may have multiple Kanban boards to monitor and may want to
know exactly when a card is moved. By simply viewing the Kanban boards and
cards, it is not as easy to track movement as it is with a notification or option to
follow movements. When a Kanban card is moved from one category to another,
Leankor software provides the option to know about the movement.
To do this, create a zone. Make sure the board is in design mode by clicking on
the second white icon from the right on the top bar. Click on the zone button below
that bar. A box will appear with a text bar for typing the zone name. This is for a
named area that will be hidden on the background. After choosing the name, use
the mouse to outline a specific zone on the board by clicking and dragging to
create a box. These will stay invisible to other users.
Creating A New Kanban Card Category
After creating a new value stream, there may not be an option to choose a
category of Kanban cards for that value stream. To make a new Kanban card
category, return to the home screen page. Click on the plus sign on the far right
side of the menu along the top of the page.
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This plus sign will open all of the available tabs. Click on the Kanban card template
option to create a new card. Some cards can be placed as global options to be
accessible in various value streams. However, most templates relate only to a
specific value stream. While it is possible to make a template from scratch, it is
usually easier to select a template from the list to clone and assign to all value
streams or a specific one. Change the title in the title field if necessary. It is also
possible to edit the size, color, width and height of the Kanban card. From there,
follow the instructions for editing a Kanban card to add due dates, priority levels
and task teams.
Using The Kanban Board
Right click on the Kanban Carousel button on the home page to open it in a new
tab. Use the arrows to select the right Kanban board. As processes are completed
or started, simply click and drag the cards to the appropriate sections of the
Kanban board to show the progress of the tasks. For example, Team A moves the
card to the “to do” section when the project is an upcoming item. When they start
it, they move the card to the “doing” section. Once they finish their task, they move
the card to the “done” section of the board. When the project manager reviews
boards to mark off processes that are finished and implement new ones, this
makes the status of the project available in a few fast clicks.
If a card involves several tasks, it is helpful to use the Harvey balls to show the
overall progress of the tasks or process in quarters. Users can edit cards as
necessary, and project managers can use movement tracking to monitor every
change in card placement or information.
These steps provide a simple overview of the basics for using the Leankor
software. Although it is easy to follow the steps in the previous tutorial, it is easier
to put the steps into action by seeing them completed. Learn how to start using
Leankor like a pro in about 30 minutes with a visual demonstration. Visit
www.Leankor.com now for a free no-obligation demonstration of the software. If it
looks like a good fit for business needs, try it for free for 14 days.
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Kanban Mobile App
Leankor’s collaborative Kanban software is available on Apple and Android
devices. Task teams and project managers use smart phones and tablets for a
variety of tasks. Now it is as easy as sending a text message to update the
progress of a task or process on a Kanban board.
Leankor Kanban App Setup
Find the Leankor mobile app in the Google Play Store or in the Apple App Store.
Once the app has successfully downloaded, select the gear button on the top right
corner. Set “Lean.Cloudforce.com” as the login server. Next, click on the Saleforce
1 tab to log in. Follow the prompts to get started. There is an option for calendar
integration. Businesses that rely heavily on a calendar system that is already in
place and is part of vital daily functions should take advantage of this feature.
On the home screen, there is a menu on the left with a variety of options. Tap the
top left button to open the Kanban Carousel. The screen for selecting project
boards and files is the same as it appears on the desktop version. Swipe left or
right to view different folders and their Kanban boards. To select a board to open,
press down on it for a few seconds.
To make the mobile app as easy as possible to use, Leankor stays consisten with
methods for editing and creating Kanban cards. Tap and drag to move Kanban
cards from one category to another as projects progress. When using the mobile
app, it is helpful to make use of the stickers for Kanban cards to indicate different
messages. If one user is editing a Kanban board or card on the mobile app, the
changes will be immediately visible to anyone else accessing that board or card
whether they use a mobile platform or the traditional Leankor platform.
From the Kanban Carousel tab, it is possible to create new tasks for different users.
Make sure to fill in all of the necessary values to make the task message clear.
After saving the task, it is immediately visible to all other users. Tap on a named
user’s icon to create a user-specific task in the chatter feed.
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Leankor’s mobile app allows team members who are working in remote locations
to stay in contact and collaborate with all other participants easily. Both the
standard and mobile Leankor platforms focus heavily on communication aside
from the updates placed on Kanban cards and the movement of cards from one
category to another.
Why Kanban?
After reading all of the information and benefits in this e-book, it is easy to see that
Kanban is a good project management planning template mainly because of its
adaptability. With a lowered risk for problems and hiccups in the project after
implementing the Kanban methods, projects can start or continue and flow easily.
The organizational benefit a Kanban system provides cannot be trumped. All
project boards and cards related to specific tasks are found in one central location.
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Why Leankor?
Leankor keeps the Kanban concepts at the core of its program’s design. Adding
collaboration and communication options to enhance project management makes
the design combination a winning way to create actionable solutions and workable
management plans. The mobile app is an added bonus to help facilitate more
efficient processes and communication. Project managers who want to keep
processes running smoothly and enhance them further without large amounts of
costly setbacks must think carefully when choosing programs to organize the
processes of a project. Leankor’s product can help users set up new projects from
scratch and develop an individual system. It can also simply be added as an
enhancement to a system that is already in place but needs an efficiency overhaul.
In addition to providing one of the most user-friendly and adaptive Kanban
software programs for project management, Leankor provides an easy platform
for brainstorming, collaborative project development, optimal visualization of work
flow, features for identifying ways to continually improve and the benefit of visual
management of multiple projects. Users can start with a free basic package and
upgrade to more amounts of custom boards as the benefits of Leankor’s Kanban
system become necessities. Packages that come with custom Kanban boards also
come with personal training to give users all of the tools they need to optimize their
boards and succeed in their projects. Learn how easy it is to start using Kanban in
a little over 30 minutes. With Leankor.com’s visual demonstration of the software
and how to use the main features, anyone can learn how to make Kanban start
working for them in a matter of hours. Visit our website at www.Leankor.com to
get your free trial or demonstration today.
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