Kanban
Kanban is a method for managing and improving how work gets done in organizations. Think of it as a system that uses visual boards (either physical or digital) to track work progress, similar to using sticky notes on a wall to organize tasks. It originated in Toyota's manufacturing system but is now widely used in many industries, from software development to marketing. The main idea is to visualize work, limit how many things are being done at once, and continuously make processes better. Other similar approaches include Scrum or Lean management. When you see Kanban mentioned in a resume, it usually means the person has experience in organizing work flow and making processes more efficient.
Examples in Resumes
Implemented Kanban system that reduced project delivery time by 30%
Led team transition to Kanban methodology for improved workflow visibility
Used Kanban boards to manage marketing campaign deliverables
Applied Kanban principles to streamline manufacturing processes
Typical job title: "Kanban Practitioners"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Kanban Practitioners
Online Communities
Professional Networks
Events & Conferences
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How have you implemented Kanban in a resistant organization?
Expected Answer: Should describe experience in change management, showing how they introduced Kanban gradually, handled resistance, and demonstrated measurable improvements in workflow efficiency.
Q: What metrics do you use to measure Kanban effectiveness?
Expected Answer: Should discuss practical metrics like lead time, cycle time, workflow efficiency, and how these measurements help improve processes and team performance.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you determine appropriate WIP (Work in Progress) limits?
Expected Answer: Should explain how they analyze team capacity, identify bottlenecks, and set realistic limits to maintain smooth workflow.
Q: Explain how you've used Kanban to improve a specific process.
Expected Answer: Should provide concrete examples of identifying problems, implementing Kanban solutions, and measuring improvements in efficiency.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the basic principles of Kanban?
Expected Answer: Should explain visualizing work, limiting work in progress, managing flow, and making process policies explicit in simple terms.
Q: How do you use a Kanban board to manage work?
Expected Answer: Should describe basic board structure with columns like 'To Do,' 'In Progress,' and 'Done,' and how cards move across the board.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic Kanban board setup and maintenance
- Understanding of work flow visualization
- Simple process mapping
- Team collaboration in Kanban environment
Mid (2-5 years)
- Kanban system implementation
- Work in Progress (WIP) limit setting
- Process improvement techniques
- Team coordination and workflow optimization
Senior (5+ years)
- Large-scale Kanban implementations
- Change management leadership
- Advanced process optimization
- Cross-functional team management
Red Flags to Watch For
- No understanding of basic Kanban principles
- Cannot explain how to measure process improvements
- Lack of practical experience with visual management tools
- No experience in team collaboration or process change
Related Terms
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