A Kanban card typically contains the following information:

• Task description: A brief title or description of the task.
• Priority: The urgency or importance of the task.
• Assigned person/team: Who is responsible for completing the task.
• Due date: The deadline for completing the task.
• Task status: Indication of the task’s current stage (e.g., "To Do," "In Progress," "Done").
• Comments/Notes: Additional information, such as dependencies or special instructions.
• ID number (optional): A unique identifier for the task, useful for tracking.

Kanban cards are moved across columns on the Kanban board, representing the flow of work. This visual movement helps teams see:

• What work is in progress: Cards in the "In Progress" column show what the team is working on.
• Where work is stuck: Cards stuck in a specific column for a long time may indicate bottlenecks or issues.
• Completed work: Cards that have moved to the "Done" column show the tasks that have been finished. The movement of Kanban cards allows everyone to quickly see the status of tasks and the overall flow of work.

Kanban cards can be created in several ways:

• Physical cards: In traditional Kanban systems, physical cards can be written on sticky notes, index cards, or other paper-based materials.
• Digital cards: In digital Kanban systems (e.g., Trello, Jira), Kanban cards are created as task entries on a digital board. These cards can be customized with various fields, such as descriptions, due dates, and assignees.

There are several types of Kanban cards based on their function within the system:

• Production Kanban cards: Used in manufacturing systems to trigger the production of parts or materials when they are needed.
• Withdrawal Kanban cards: Used to signal that materials should be pulled from inventory to replenish stock at a workstation or process.
• Maintenance Kanban cards: Used to signal that maintenance or repairs are needed for equipment or machinery.
• Order Kanban cards: Used to trigger orders for new materials or components from suppliers.

Kanban cards are moved across the Kanban board as work progresses through different stages. The typical stages might include:

• To Do: The task has been identified but hasn’t started yet.
• In Progress: Work is actively being done on the task.
• Review: The task is completed and needs to be reviewed or validated.
• Done: The task has been completed and is finished. As a task progresses, the Kanban card is moved to the corresponding column.

Yes, Kanban cards can represent multiple tasks or teams. For example:

• Multiple tasks on one card: In some cases, multiple smaller tasks related to the same goal can be grouped on a single card, especially if they are interdependent.
• Cross-functional teams: Kanban cards can be used across different teams or departments to represent work items that require collaboration. Cards may include additional information to clarify which team or person is responsible for which aspect of the task.

Yes, Kanban cards can be customized for different industries or workflows. For instance:

• In software development, Kanban cards might include fields for user stories, bugs, and feature requests.
• In manufacturing, Kanban cards could have information related to production schedules, part numbers, or equipment maintenance.
• In healthcare, Kanban cards might track patient care, medical procedures, or staff scheduling. Customization allows teams to track the most relevant information for their particular processes.

Dependencies can be managed by:

• Linking cards: Some digital Kanban tools allow cards to be linked, so the team can track which tasks are dependent on others.
• Color-coding or tagging: Assigning special labels or colors to cards that indicate dependencies, so team members know which tasks must be completed before others can begin.
• Using a "blocked" status: A Kanban card can be marked as "blocked" when it cannot progress due to a dependency, helping teams focus on resolving issues.

The progress of tasks can be tracked by:

• Moving cards across the board: As tasks progress from one stage to another, the card is moved accordingly. This allows everyone to see the status of the task at a glance.
• Updating card information: Team members can update the cards with relevant information such as comments, due dates, or progress updates.
• Using digital tools: Many digital Kanban tools provide metrics such as cycle time, lead time, and throughput to help track the progress and performance of tasks.

The "done" criteria are the specific conditions that must be met before a task can be moved to the "Done" column. These criteria should be clearly defined for each type of task and could include:

• Completion of all required steps or deliverables.
• Quality checks or reviews that confirm the task meets the expected standards.
• Customer or stakeholder approval (if applicable). By setting clear done criteria, teams ensure that tasks are fully completed before they are considered finished.

Yes, Kanban cards can be used to track various performance metrics, such as:

• Cycle time: The time it takes for a card to move from "To Do" to "Done."
• Lead time: The total time from when a task is requested to when it is completed.
• Throughput: The number of tasks completed within a given time period.
• Block time: The amount of time a task is blocked or delayed due to dependencies or issues. These metrics can be tracked manually or through digital tools, providing insights into workflow performance and areas for improvement.

Kanban cards contribute to continuous improvement by:

• Identifying bottlenecks: By visualizing work, teams can quickly spot where tasks are getting stuck, allowing for timely adjustments.
• Tracking performance: Monitoring key metrics such as cycle time and throughput helps teams identify trends and areas for improvement.
• Facilitating feedback loops: Teams can regularly review the status of Kanban cards to discuss progress, challenges, and opportunities for improvement during meetings or retrospectives.