Alternatives to the Kanban system for project management include Scrum, Lean, Agile, Waterfall, and Six Sigma methodologies. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the choice between them depends on the specific needs and context of the project.

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Kanban Board

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Ohno's Kanban system uses signs cards on a signboard to visually show what stage a task is in, and prompt viewers on which actions to take next in a process workflow. In Ohno's own words, the system was designed, "to produce only what is needed, when it is needed and in the amount needed." Ohno invented this system at the behest of Toyota CEO Kiichiro Toyoda, who wanted Toyota to compete with the productivity of American car companies in under three years. However, the company was in such rough shape they couldn't even hire any new employees. They didn't have the equipment Americans had, and couldn't hire new people, so they had to develop an internal system to increase their productivity.

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The key differences between the Kanban system and traditional project management methods lie in their approach to workflow and productivity. The Kanban system, invented by Taiichi Ohno for Toyota, uses visual cues (sign cards on a signboard) to indicate the stage of a task and prompt the next actions in a process workflow. It is designed to produce only what is needed, when it is needed, and in the amount needed, thereby increasing efficiency and reducing waste. Traditional project management methods, on the other hand, often involve detailed upfront planning and a linear approach to task completion, which may not be as flexible or responsive to changes in demand or capacity.

The Kanban system contributes to just-in-time production by visually showing what stage a task is in and prompting viewers on which actions to take next in a process workflow. It was designed to produce only what is needed, when it is needed and in the amount needed. This system was developed to increase productivity without the need for additional resources or employees.

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