Kanban simply explained: Practical application in the restaurant

Kanban is an effective tool in project management that helps you visualize and optimize workflows. But what does Kanban look like in practice? In this tutorial, I will demonstrate to you using the example of a restaurant how Kanban works in reality. I will explain step by step how to establish an effective Kanban process and how you can apply the principles of Kanban in your work routine.

Key Insights

1. Kanban helps to visualize the flow of work.
2. There are three main categories: To-Do, Work in Progress, and Done.
3. Implementing Kanban can occur in various contexts, even without specific software.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: The Initial Situation

Imagine a restaurant that serves as an example for our Kanban process. Two people are sitting at a table. This is the starting point for our Kanban process.

Step 2: Taking the Order

A waitress approaches the table and takes the order of the two guests. This initial action is crucial for starting the Kanban process as it involves capturing and documenting the information.

Step 3: Documenting the Order

The waitress writes the order on a piece of paper. This is the first step in capturing the To-Do list. You can think of this process as the paper containing the information that will later be integrated into the Kanban process.

Step 4: Handover to the Kitchen

Once the order is documented, the waitress hands the paper to the kitchen. This handover marks the start of Work in Progress. The kitchen takes on the task of preparing the ordered dishes.

Step 5: Work Progress

In the kitchen, the order is now in the "Work in Progress" status. The kitchen team processes the order and prepares the meals. This phase shows that active work is being done on the tasks.

Step 6: Completed Dish

Once the dish is prepared, it is completed, and the waitress finally brings it back to the table. This step marks the completion of the task as the dish is now served to the guests.

Step 7: Overview of the Kanban Process

We have now highlighted the different aspects of the Kanban process: from creating the To-Do list to Work in Progress and completed tasks. This shows how simple and practical Kanban works in a real-world scenario.

Summary

In this tutorial, you have learned how Kanban is applied in the context of a restaurant. You now understand the steps from taking the order to delivering the dishes and how visualizing the workflow contributes to increasing efficiency. The principles of Kanban can be applied in many different areas and do not rely on specific software.