Kanban

From WikiTextbook

Kanban (in kanji 看板 also in katakana カンバン)is a concept related to Just in time (JIT) production, but these two concepts are not the same thing. The Japanese word Kanban translates literally to "sign" or "instruction card." This can be linked to Just in Time.

Kanban is a signaling system. As its name suggests, Kanban uses cards to signal the need for an item. Other devices such plastic markers (Kanban squares) or balls (often golf balls) can also be used to trigger the movement, production, or supply of a unit in a factory.

1 Requirements of Kanban
2 Advantages of Kanban
3 Disadvantages
4 Examples of Kanban
5 Links
6 Contributors

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Requirements of Kanban

Reliable employees to keep the process working.
A good computer system to help run it (not neccessarry but if the system is run by computers then is required.)

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Advantages of Kanban

Ensures flow of stock is always running. As long as signalling works and the employees know how it runs and can work efficiently.

It also stops lack of communication or errors from occuring in the manufacturing proccess and prevents the factory owners from not knowing what is going on. This is a vital part of modern manufacturing in order to keep the production proccess going.

Can see if there is a problem in the production line. This is because there can only be a limited number of problems.

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Disadvantages

Some systems rely on employees to order materials in time to keep the factory running. This means that if employees don�t work efficiently the whole process could be delayed significantly.
If new employees don�t understand signaling system could bring operations to a standstill.

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