Kanban
Kanban is a method for managing work and inventory that originated in Toyota's manufacturing system but is now used widely in many industries. Think of it as a visual system that helps teams track work progress, similar to a sophisticated to-do list. It helps companies reduce waste, improve efficiency, and ensure they're not producing more than needed. The term "Kanban" comes from Japanese, meaning "signboard" or "billboard." While it started in manufacturing, it's now also popular in project management and consulting, especially in supply chain improvements. Other names for similar approaches include "pull system," "visual management system," or "just-in-time production."
Examples in Resumes
Implemented Kanban system that reduced inventory costs by 30%
Led Kanban transformation projects across 5 manufacturing facilities
Trained production teams on Kanban principles and Visual Management techniques
Optimized warehouse operations using Kanban and Pull System methodologies
Typical job title: "Supply Chain Consultants"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Supply Chain Consultants
Professional Organizations
Online Communities
Job Boards
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you implement a Kanban system in a company that's resistant to change?
Expected Answer: The answer should cover change management strategies, pilot program implementation, demonstrating ROI through small wins, and methods for gaining employee buy-in through training and communication.
Q: How do you measure the success of a Kanban implementation?
Expected Answer: Look for mentions of key metrics like inventory reduction, lead time improvement, productivity increases, and quality improvements. Should also discuss both quantitative and qualitative measures of success.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What are the key components of a Kanban system?
Expected Answer: Should explain visual boards, card systems, work-in-progress limits, and pull signals in simple terms. Should be able to describe how these components work together.
Q: How does Kanban differ from other inventory management systems?
Expected Answer: Should contrast Kanban with push systems, explain its advantages in reducing waste and inventory, and discuss when Kanban might be more appropriate than other systems.
Junior Level Questions
Q: Can you explain what Kanban is in simple terms?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain Kanban as a visual system for managing work and inventory, using simple analogies and focusing on its basic principles of visualizing work and limiting work-in-progress.
Q: What are the main benefits of using a Kanban system?
Expected Answer: Should mention reduced inventory costs, improved efficiency, better visibility of work, and smoother production flow, with basic examples.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of Kanban principles
- Creating and maintaining visual boards
- Basic inventory management
- Understanding of pull systems
Mid (2-5 years)
- Implementing Kanban systems
- Training teams on Kanban principles
- Process improvement techniques
- Performance metrics tracking
Senior (5+ years)
- Large-scale Kanban implementations
- Change management
- System optimization and design
- Cross-functional team leadership
Red Flags to Watch For
- No hands-on experience with physical Kanban systems
- Lack of understanding of pull vs. push systems
- Unable to explain basic inventory management concepts
- No experience with process improvement metrics
Related Terms
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