Kanban Flow

LEAN PROJECT MANAGEMENT, SIMPLIFIED

Those whose success depends on effective workflow management understand the tine and effort involved to analyze workflow and improve processes. The benefits of properly implemented lean management are enormous in terms productivity and efficiency gains and workgroup cohesion. Kanban, a Japanese concept inspired by Toyota, is a visual process management system that relies on “pulling” work according to capacity and resources rather than “pushing” it through the system in response to a request.

KanbanFlow is an exciting mobile app which allows a team to view its progress and know when it can add work. It is available in a free and premium plan ($5.00 per person per month with a 10% discount if paid annually and a 14 day free trial). At the heart of the app is a customizable columnar overview which displays each part of a workflow from defining the task to delivering the product or service. Status and those responsible for each part of the workflow are identified. Tasks assigned to specific individuals are can be drilled down to sub tasks in a checklist format which can be ticked off when completed.

Bottlenecks can be identified to limit tasks and support completion rather than overloading capacity and resources by pushing additional work to assure on-time completion. Monitoring workflow reduces multitasking. which was shown in a 2005 Harvard Business Review study to reduce individual productivity by 40%. Time tracking capability is available in the premium version.