Kanban & Pull Systems
A workflow management tool designed to visualise work, maximise efficiency and maintain agile operations
Kanban and Pull Systems
Do you run short of necessary supplies, information or material in your organisation? Have you determined the appropriate quantity of supplies, information or material to service your organisation requirements? Are there clear signals when replenishment is required?
Kanban & Pull Systems use a signal to trigger the movement, production or supply of a unit of material or information. It is a workflow management tool designed to assist in visualising work, maximising efficiency and being agile.
The Japanese word Kanban translates as billboard or signboard. The approach means that production is based on customer demand, rather than the standard push practice to produce goods and pushing them to the market.
The core purpose of Kanban is to minimise waste activities without affecting productivity. The main goal is to create more value for the customer without generating additional costs. Kanban (meaning signal) is a simple scheduling system. Toyota developed Kanban to signal the consistent supply of parts to the manufacturing process and eliminate material downtime.
What Kanban & Pull Systems deliver
Increase Inventory Turns
Improve Capacity Utilisation
Maximise Invested Capital
Create a More Focused and Profitable Business
With 30 years of experience in manufacturing, I thought I knew it all. During this time, I touched on some aspects of Lean and became very strong in these areas. But this course made Lean tools available which helped me achieve success in projects while at the same time giving the project team the power to influence change in their own areas. I came away from this course very well armed for future projects.
Lean opened my mind to how we do things day-to-day and created more flexibility and teamwork within my own company.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tell me about the Course Outline
- Why Kanban & Pull Systems?
- The Problem of too much Work-in-Progress
- The concept of Just in Time (JIT)
- Benefits of JIT
- Types of Kanban and implementing these systems
- One Piece Flow and Demand/Pull
What will I learn from this Programme?
You will be able to employ Kanban to maintain supply of the necessary supplies, information or material to your operation. Kanban can be used to maintain flow in queuing systems.
- How Pull systems can replace traditional re-ordering systems
- How a disciplined approach can ensure no shortages whilst minimising work-in-progress
- How to design a Kanban system, train people in its operation and calculate accurate quantities
- Standardise a process when a signal is triggered
Who should attend this Course?
This programme is aimed at any personnel engaging in business process improvement.
Are there any Assessments or Certifications?
All participants receive an LeanTeams Certificate of Attendance.
What is the duration of Kanban?
This programme is delivered via online learning sessions. Please contact us for further details.
What is the cost of this Programme?
Contact us for further details.
In the late 1940s, Toyota was studying supermarkets with a view to applying some of their management techniques to their work. This interest came about because in a supermarket the customer can get what is needed at the time needed in the amount needed. Certainly, the supermarket only stocks what it believes it will sell. In addition, the customer only takes what they need because future supply is assured. As a result, this led Toyota to view earlier processes as a store. Therefore, the process goes to this store to get its needed components and the store then replenishes those components. It is the rate of this replenishment, which is controlled by Kanban, that gives the permission to produce.
Most importantly, this workshop presents the concept of Kanban and how it can be used to control items in a process. It demonstrates how Kanban is designed to supply what is required, when it is required.
Case Studies
You can also read our case studies to see how our clients used Kanban to improve their business.
Empower your Team
Learn how Kanban & Pull Systems can optimise your workflow and eliminate material downtime. Get in touch for a free consultation.
Kanban — Lean Business Training
Kanban and Pull Systems are a core Lean methodology for managing workflow, reducing work-in-progress and ensuring timely supply of materials and information. LeanTeams delivers practical Kanban training as part of our Lean training programmes, helping Irish SMEs increase inventory turns, improve capacity utilisation and build demand-driven operations. Explore our other Lean tools including 5S, Value Stream Mapping, and SMED.