Guide: Understanding and Mastering the Kanban System

Importance of the Kanban System:
The Kanban system is important in Agile Change Management as it helps visualize the work, limit work in progress, and maximize efficiency(or flow). It can aid in identifying potential bottlenecks in your process and fix them so work can flow through it cost-effectively at an optimal speed or throughput.

What is the Kanban System:
The Kanban System is a visual framework that applies the principles of Agile to improve business agility. It originated in the Japanese manufacturing sector and was later adapted for project management, specifically in the field of software development. The term 'Kanban' translates to 'billboard' or 'signboard' in English.

How it works:
The workflow under a Kanban system works by visualizing the work process on a kanban board. Each work item is represented as a separate card and placed in a column that represents the stage of the process. As work progresses, cards are moved from one column to the next. The goal is to have a continuous flow of work moving through the process.

Exam Tips: Answering Questions on the Kanban system:
Understanding the underlying principles of Kanban is crucial for answering related exam questions. Be familiar with terms such as 'Work in Progress (WIP)', 'Kanban board', 'Cards', and 'Columns'. When asked to explain the Kanban system, remember to discuss its visual nature and its origin. Examples can help to demonstrate your understanding. For instance, you could describe how a team might use a Kanban board to track and move tasks from the 'to-do' column to the 'completed' column.