Map value stream – Where do the final product come from? What are all the steps that it goes through until it’s in the hands of the end-user?
Define the start and end points for the Kanban system – These should preferably be where the implementation team should have control. Start with a narrow focus, as people outside the span will soon ask to join in.
Agree on following options
- Initial WIP limits and policies for changing or temporarily breaking them
- Process for prioritizing
- Policies for different classes of service (e.g. “standard”, “expedite”, “fixed delivery date”).
- Frequency of reviews
- Start using it.
Kanban “label” data usually includes the following data items
- Kanban number
- Supplier name
- Line site address – location of line where the component will be processed
- Shipping area address – shipping location for finished assemblies
- Part store address – factory location for temporary storage of components before
- assembly line use
- Part description
- Quantity in kanban package
- Bar code
- Part number