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LWC - Kanban Method
Kanban: efficiency redefined

Kanban method

Are you faced with the problem that work processes are confusing and inefficient? Do you often feel overwhelmed by the amount of ongoing projects and struggle to keep track of everything? Do you struggle to keep team members on the same page and ensure that everyone knows what needs to be done?

With Kanban, inspired by Toyota's efficient methods, we optimise your workflows to increase clarity and efficiency. Through flexible prioritisation, we enable quick reactions to changes, which not only increases productivity but also fosters team spirit.

Kanban provides a clear view of your projects and makes it easier to recognise bottlenecks, which contributes to a further increase in efficiency. In addition, the clear Kanban boards improve team communication and flexibility, leading to faster adjustments and clearer processes. This holistic method helps your team to work together more efficiently and harmoniously.

Would you like to use this method for yourself? We can help you.

Contact us!

WHAT WE UNDERSTAND BY KANBAN

Kanban differs from frameworks such as Scrum by focussing on the continuous flow of work instead of scheduled sprints. It does not require special roles such as the Scrum Master, which simplifies implementation. This method fits flexibly into existing processes and is ideal for teams looking for an adaptive way of working without rigid timelines or extensive reorganisation.

Compared to Scrum, Kanban is quicker and easier to implement as it requires fewer complex roles and structures. The method is easy to understand and flexibly adaptable, which promotes self-organisation and team commitment. Through visual boards and the work-in-progress (WIP) limit, Kanban focuses on more efficient task processing and is particularly suitable for dynamic environments that require quick adjustments.

Kanban Method - our performance promise

Our performance promise

  • Individual optimisation
  • It is important to us that the Kanban method to be introduced is customised for your area of activity. To this end, we work with you to identify the relevant core elements in order to derive optimisation options on this basis.

  • Support through agile expertise
  • Our aim is to enrich your agile working environment by sharing our extensive knowledge with you, highlighting areas for action and providing valuable impetus for agility.

  • Empowering and supporting your employees
  • We act in your long-term interests; to this end, we are available as an exchange partner for the entire Kanban method development team and beyond.

  • Improving agreements
  • Through the targeted turning of individual adjusting screws through to the introduction and establishment of a comprehensive communication plan. We promote open dialogue and transparency in your company.

Our approach
Introduction of the Kanban method in the company

1. Phase 05

Status determination

  • Status determination

    Agile maturity level

    The first step is to analyse your individual initial situation. To do this, we determine your agile maturity level, the existing tools and the existing task structure, among other things. Together, we define a target picture in order to realise your ideas realistically and promptly.

  • "Why“ phase

    Common alignment

    One of the strengths of the Kanban method is the low barrier to entry. An underlying element of Kanban is: start where you are. In order to decide whether the Kanban method is the right one for your situation and issue, we work out why the advantages of fast reaction time and high flexibility for change correspond to your target image.

  • "How“ phase

    Establish core practices of the Kanban method

    By visualising the work tasks, it becomes visible whether and where obstacles arise. Together, the amount of parallel work is limited and the pull principle is introduced, which promotes focus, efficiency and personal responsibility. True to the motto: Stop starting, start finishing!

  • "What" phase

    Making the right choice about what Kanban represents

    The Kanban tool is useful for different altitudes. Depending on the application purpose, different topics are considered.

    • At an operational level, everyday to-dos and individual tasks are recorded
    • At organisational level, work packages are distributed at team level
    • The strategic level maps the complete project status

  • Rounding off phase

    Checking effectiveness

    Every method develops its effect through active practice and utilisation. This is why communication is a key success factor. The application is continuously improved collaboratively and refined through the implementation of feedback mechanisms.

Your advantages
WHEN YOU INTRODUCE THE KANBAN METHOD TOGETHER WITH LEITWERK

  • Icon Quick reaction time

    Quick reaction time

    As soon as we realise that adjustments to the Kanban method are necessary in your case, we act decisively and courageously.

  • Icon Sustainable support

    Sustainable support

    We not only establish the right agile tool in your company, but also the associated expertise for sustainable use.

  • Icon Multifaceted team

    Multifaceted team

    At LEITWERK you will find a diverse team with creative, analytical and social strengths. Thanks to the different perspectives, we establish Kanban in its entirety.

  • Icon Systemic view

    Systemic view

    In addition to our analysis methods, we develop a comprehensive feel for how your system works. We use this in the development of the Kanban method.

  • Icon Strong focus on implementation

    Strong focus on implementation

    We work with you to develop your customised Kanban and ensure that it is implemented precisely.

  • Icon Work optimisation through transparency

    Work optimisation through transparency

    Kanban creates transparency about process gaps, redundancies and dependencies. We analyse these for you in order to optimise your work organisation.

Free LWC Kanban board template

We have designed a LEITWERK Kanban board template in the online collaboration platform Miro. This template is not only user-friendly, but also specifically designed to simplify your task organisation and prioritisation. It is perfect for teams of any size and can be used universally.

If you would like to use the free LEITWERK Kanban board template or require further information, please contact us.

example for a Kanban Board

Project examples

I. Reorganisation of a department to an agile collaboration model - introduction of the Kanban methodology

Scope of commission

As part of the assignment, LEITWERK Consulting was commissioned to teach agile methods as part of a short training course on the Scrum framework and Kanban methodology. Subsequently, the findings and experiences are to be deepened in the course of a workshop with the employees, with the aim of selecting and adapting the right methodology to the existing needs.

Initial situation

A German car manufacturer was faced with the challenge of merging two departments from different fields of activity. Not only the subject areas of the employees, but also the different ways and methods of working represented a major obstacle to fast and efficient collaboration.

Solution approach

As part of a half-day department workshop, all employees were sensitised to agile collaboration. In addition to teaching agile methods and values, a joint agile collaboration model was developed using the Kanban methodology. The department was also supported by LEITWERK Consulting at planning and review meetings on a quarterly basis.

Results

The new working model ensured a clear understanding of roles and improved the overview of topics, especially for the department head. Thanks to the newly developed skills, employees were able to respond more quickly to short-term requests without losing sight of the long-term goal. The newly designed department became a role model within the main department. Finally, the Kanban board was jointly developed as the basis for the new agile collaboration model.

II. Training agile tools and working methods - focus on Kanban methodology

Scope of commission

LEITWERK Consulting was commissioned to organise an interactive training course on agile frameworks and creativity techniques for an international employment agency. After an initial brief overview of all possible methods, the aim of the training was to go into more detail about the desired way of working and to convey the company's requirements in detail. The aim was to bring all employees up to the same level of knowledge and to get them on board with the selected methodology.

Initial situation

Due to the increasing complexity and speed of the labour market, there is a need to enable teams to work together flexibly and adaptably. Due to international team structures and forms of work, the focus was on raising awareness of different approaches and optimising interfaces - e.g. between agile and traditional teams. Due to the diversity, a training course was requested that was customised to the company.

Solution approach

In a two-day training format, participants were given an overview of frameworks such as Scrum, Kanban, Business Model Generation and Design Thinking. With the help of interactive elements, the frameworks were made tangible and brought to life. After the Kanban method emerged as the working method that the company would like to work with in a leading role, the rest of the training was carried out using precisely this approach - from planning to implementation. The different working contexts of the participants were taken into account through reflection questions and formats such as the knowledge market.

Results

Overall, the participants were given a good overview of agile working methods, the differentiation from classic project planning and the categorisation and meaningfulness of both approaches. By directly experiencing the approaches with a focus on ‘Kanban’, the participants' methodological toolbox was filled with different working methods and impulses, making it easier to transfer them into everyday working life.

Interested? We would be happy to send you detailed information about our solution.
Contact us!
Carina Werner - Your contact person
Your contact person
Carina Werner
+49 89 189 235 96
carina.werner@leitwerk-consulting.com
...or write us via our contact form
Contact us!

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