How Kanban can be used in personal Life?

What is Kanban?

Kanban is an easy-to-use and -learn system that can help avoid feeling overwhelmed by those endless To-Do lists. It is a simplified system for creating products based on a continuous delivery mechanism. It was originated in the Japanese manufacturing system. Nowadays, it is used worldwide to achieve more in work, in business, and personal life.

The following twin rules come in handy in simplifying the whole work paradigm:

1. Visualize your work: When we see work in its various manifestations, in its various contexts, real trade-offs become apparent. We can physically create a record of all those demands on our time. The larger context and view of our work allows us flexibility and enhance our decision making.

2. Limit your work-in-progress (WIP): Putting a limit to our WIP allows us to work quickly, allows us the time to concentrate and react calmly to change. We become experts in doing a thoughtful job.

Step 1: Preparing The Kanban Board

Divide a whiteboard into three columns. If not whiteboard, dividing up a letter-sized notebook or on a large A4 can be done.

Segment the columns into ‘To Do’, ‘Doing’, and third into ‘Done.’

Self evidently, the first column is to capture your new “To Do” list. The second column is for deciding what you are going to be working on right now. In the third column, we record what we have finished.

We should avoid the classic productivity mistake of turning a project into a task. It takes a series of tasks (or cards) to accomplish a project.

Making Kanban Work:

Add tasks or cards to the ‘TO Do’ column. Use an action verb and write down the task in consideration. When you are ready to start working, drag an item or task from the ‘To Do’ column to ‘Doing’. It is advisable to keep no more than three items in the ‘Doing’ column. It brings down the work in progress and helps visualize the work under action.

Review The Board:

While working, we will understandably drag tasks from the left to the right of the board. It drives us to prioritize. We are encouraged to regularly review our ‘To Do’ List. This way of doing streamlines a state of flow. Moving cards from one column to the next feels gratifying. We can instantly see the tasks that are easy to accomplish, those that are demanding and take a lot of time, and even tasks where we’re struck.

For better productivity, it is important to limit work-in-progress. It is often skipped as there is too much to do, which, ironically, is what the WIP is for in the first place.

Once you are at a comfort level with Kanban, you may add additional columns to your board.

The Kanban system was designed to specifically provide flexibility in having a small set of rules. It has been adopted in every country and every vertical on earth - including the home. Kids have fun completing their chores. Teams efficiently and intelligently work out complex problems and promptly. Project and ambient work are both easily visualized and executed.

‘Advance Agility’ is the expert Kanban implementer around. We have delivered it for a host of our clients. Do get in touch for a seamless Kanban integration in your organization.