# Kanban

Operations · `Kanban` · verification: source checked

Kanban is a signaling device used in pull production to authorize production or withdrawal (conveyance) of items. It can be a card, triangular metal plate, colored ball, electronic signal, or another device that conveys instructions and prevents erroneous instructions. Production kanban tell an upstream process what and how many products to make, while withdrawal kanban authorize movement of parts to a downstream process.

## Specification

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Kind | methodology |
| Origin | Japanese term for sign or signboard |

## Study notes

- Kanban cards commonly state part name, part number, external supplier or internal supplying process, pack-out quantity, storage address, and consuming process address; a barcode may be printed for tracking or automatic invoicing.
- Besides cards, kanban can be triangular metal plates, colored balls, electronic signals, or other devices that convey the needed information while preventing erroneous instructions.
- Kanban has two functions in production: production kanban instruct processes to make products, and withdrawal kanban instruct material handlers to move products.
- Production kanban tell an upstream process the type and quantity of products to make for a downstream process; in the simplest case, one card corresponds to one container of parts.
- In large batch situations with short cycle times and long changeover times, a signal kanban triggers production when a minimum quantity of containers is reached.
- Pattern production repeats a fixed sequence of production, but the amount produced each cycle may vary with customer needs; its main disadvantage is that the sequence is fixed.
- A lot-making board uses a physical kanban for every container; returned cards placed in shadow spaces indicate consumed inventory, while unreturned cards represent inventory still in the market.
- Withdrawal kanban authorize conveyance of parts to a downstream process and often take internal/interprocess or supplier forms; supplier kanban at long distances typically take electronic form.
- Production and withdrawal kanban work together: a withdrawal kanban is removed when the first item in a container is used, then placed on a new container at the upstream supermarket; the production kanban on that container is returned to the upstream process to signal production of one more container.
- A true pull system is maintained as long as no parts are produced or moved in the absence of a kanban.
- The document includes a section heading 'The 6 Rules of Kanban' but does not list the rules.

## Sources

1. [Kanban - What Is it? | Lean Enterprise Institute](https://www.lean.org/lexicon-terms/kanban/) (accessed 2026-10-25)

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