Kanban

[kæn.bæn / kan.ban]
nounmasculinepl: Kanbans
Kanban
1. A lean manufacturing method that uses visual cards or signals to manage workflow and inventory, originated in Japan by Toyota
The team implemented a Kanban board to track their project tasks and improve workflow efficiency.
O time implementou um quadro Kanban para rastrear as tarefas do projeto e melhorar a eficiência do fluxo de trabalho.
2. A visual management system using cards or signals to control the production and movement of items through a process
In Kanban, cards represent work items moving through different stages of completion.
No Kanban, os cartões representam itens de trabalho movendo-se através de diferentes estágios de conclusão.
3. A card or signal used in this manufacturing and project management system to indicate work status and availability
Each Kanban card contains information about the work item and its status.
Cada cartão Kanban contém informações sobre o item de trabalho e seu status.
Kanban originated in Japan and reflects Japanese manufacturing philosophy. In Brazil and globally, it has become a fundamental tool in software development and agile methodologies, particularly in startups and tech companies. The term is used internationally without translation, representing a shift toward lean and efficient work practices in modern organizations.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
visual management systempull systemwork-in-progress control
Antonyms / Antônimos
push systemtraditional batch production

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
Kanban
Direct adoption; widely used in tech companies and agile environments
São Paulo
Kanban / Sistema Kanban
Common in manufacturing and tech sectors; often used in business Portuguese
Portugal
Kanban
Direct adoption; used in modern project management contexts
USA
Kanban
Standard term in agile and lean manufacturing communities

Related Words

LeanScrumAgileworkflow managementJIT (Just-In-Time)workflow visualization

Related Idioms & Phrases

Kanban board
Kanban system
Kanban card
pull-based Kanban
Kanban method
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