What is Kanban throughput? What’s one of the simplest ways to measure it? This article displays on these questions and supplies a perspective to trace a Kanban staff’s efficiency in an efficient manner.
What Is Kanban Throughput?
Kanban Throughput is outlined because the common variety of gadgets or playing cards passing via the circulate inside a particular time length offered that the work load stays uniform throughout that interval. It is mostly used to trace staff’s efficiency. Throughput variability displays the distinction in measurement, complexity, and staff abilities.
According to the Little’s Law:
Throughput = Total WIP / Average Lead Time
Measuring What Matters: Kanban Throughput
The finest method to measure throughput in Kanban is with the CFD (Commulative Flow Diagram). The Cumulative Flow Diagram is the visible illustration of the playing cards as they transfer from one column or state to a different on a Kanban board. The CFD plots the variety of playing cards at every stage at a given time.
Below is a pattern CFD on your reference:
The totally different colours on this diagram symbolize the assorted states within the circulate. The peak of every shade band signifies the variety of playing cards in that state at that time limit.
The CFD supplies you with an perception on what number of playing cards moved from one state to a different in a particular time length. Generally, the CFD is plotted for every day, nonetheless, if there are too many shifting playing cards in a day, it may be plotted on an hourly foundation as properly. Below is a pattern CFD when plotted for each hour in a working day.
Moreover, the CFD supplies helpful information on lead time and cycle time traits. Both lead time and cycle time denote the time a piece merchandise spends within the workflow till they’re full. Lead time is the time {that a} card takes from begin to end. Cycle time is the time an engineer spends to actively work on it. In a CFD, each lead time and cycle time metrics are measured alongside the horizontal axis.
The Cumulative Flow Diagram (CFD) additionally shows complete playing cards throughout totally different columns i.e. complete WIP. This information is measured alongside the vertical axis of the CFD diagram.
Below is a pattern CFD that depicts lead time, common cycle time, and the overall WIP.
If you have an interest about different Kanban charts equivalent to Average Lead Time, Average Cycle Time, Flow Efficiency Chart, or the Blocker Clustering Chart, learn my ebook, The Basics Of Kanban – A Popular Lean Framework.
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