Experience feedback on one year implementing Kanban in a 20 people team. Main milestones of implementation will be put in parallel of the recipe for success by David J. Anderson (in "Kanban – Successful Evolutionary Change for Your Technology Business"). Then we'll see if success resides in a recipe, or to change adaptation, as stated in Agile manifesto. Presentation will be concluded by evolution perspectives, for the team and the organization.

1. Experience feedback on one year implementing
Kanban
Nicolas Morin @nicolas__morin
http://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolasmorin1 http://nicolasmorin1.wordpress.com

2. 19/10/2012 Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 2

3. 19/10/2012 Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 3

4. Goals
 Show how Kanban allows a smooth
transition to a continuous improvement
culture (Kaizen culture)
 Emphasis the importance of context and
leadership for success
19/10/2012 Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 4

5. Agenda
Ready In progress 1 Done
Why and
Main
how
milestones
Kanban ?
5’ 15’
Recipe for Recipe or
success by not recipe
DJA ?
5’ 5’
Questions
Conclusion
& answers
5’
19/10/2012 15’
Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 5

6. Why and how Kanban ?
Ready In progress 1 Done
Why and
Main
how
milestones
Kanban ?
15’ 5’
Recipe for Recipe or
success by not recipe
DJA ?
5’ 5’
Questions
Conclusion
& answers
5’
19/10/2012 15’
Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 6

7. Context
The team in november 2011  Team already
1st and 2nd level support engaged in an Agile
Corrective and evolutive maintenance
Testing automation (off-shore) Scrum-like approach
Regulatory changes for 2 years
Transversal contributions
Projects driven by the team  Difficulties to establish
a sustainable
3 3 development pace
2
17 1
5
Total : 31
19/10/2012 Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 7

8. Difficulties
Feeling of permanent rush and
overburdening to match expectations
Team tired
Releases content rarely fully delivered
Clients impatient and unsatisfied
19/10/2012 Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 8

9. The solution ?
 People and Teams Development
 « GetKanban ! »
Collective team decision to try applying
Kanban to our process
19/10/2012 Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 9

10. By the way, what is Kanban?
Kanban IS NOT an Agile development
method
… but an agile method to improve smoothly
an existing process
19/10/2012 Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 10

11. How deep is your Kanban ?
Source: Kanban Townhall - Digite / Swift Kanban - July 12, 2012
 Visualize
 Limit Work-in-progress (WIP)
 Manage flow
 Make policies explicit
 Implement feedback loops
 Improve collaboratively, evolve
experimentally
19/10/2012 Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 11

12. Main milestones
Ready In progress 1 Done
Why and
Main
how
milestones
Kanban ?
15’ 5’
Recipe for Recipe or
success by not recipe
DJA ?
5’ 5’
Questions
Conclusion
& answers
5’
19/10/2012 15’
Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 12

13. The beginning (1/3)
December January
November February
2011 2012
• Creation of the
whiteboard
• Limitation of
work in
progress
• Definition by the
team of flow
policies
19/10/2012 Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 13

14. The whiteboard
19/10/2012 Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 14

15. Sample whiteboard
2 2 2 1 User
Ready Analysis Development Test Done
validation
Doing Done Doing Done
Sponsor Sponsor Expedite
+1 Num
+1
Expedite
3 Num Num Num Num
Standard Standard Bug Standard
AA
4 Num Num Num
Fixed Num
Intangible Standard
Num Date Issue
BB
Due
Standard
19/10/2012 Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 15

16. The beginning (1/3)
December January
November February
2011 2012
• Creation of the • Kaizen every 2
whiteboard weeks in front
• Limitation of of the board
work in • Use of avatars
progress on the
• Definition by the whiteboard
team of flow
policies
• Iterationless
development
19/10/2012 Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 16

17. Avatars on the whiteboard
Décembre Janvier
Novembre Février
2011 2012
• Création du • Kaizen toutes
whiteboard les 2
• Limitation du semaines
travail en cours devant le
• Définition par whiteboard
l’équipe des • Utilisation des
règles régissant avatars sur le
le flux whiteboard
• Iterationless
development
19/10/2012 Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 17

18. The beginning (1/3)
December January
November February
2011 2012
• Creation of the • Kaizen every 2 • Definition and
whiteboard weeks in front formalization of
• Limitation of of the board specification
work in • Use of avatars process
progress on the • New system for
• Definition by the whiteboard days off
team of flow management
policies
• Iterationless
development
19/10/2012 Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 18

19. Team planning
December January
November February
2011 2012
• Creation of the • Kaizen every 2 • Definition and
whiteboard weeks in front formalization of
• Limitation of of the board specification
work in • Use of avatars process
progress on the • New system for
• Definition by the whiteboard days off
team of flow management
policies
• Iterationless
development
19/10/2012 Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 19

20. The beginning (1/3)
December January
November February
2011 2012
• Creation of the • Kaizen every 2 • Definition and • Monthly
whiteboard weeks in front formalization of prioritization
• Limitation of of the board specification committees
work in • Use of avatars process suspended (no
progress on the • New system for available
• Definition by the whiteboard days off bandwidth)
team of flow management
policies
• Iterationless
development
19/10/2012 Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 20

21. Depth of implementation (1/3)
Visualize
Improvement
Limit WIP
s
Nov-11
Jan-11
Feedback
Manage Flow
Loops
Explicit
Policies
19/10/2012 Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 21

22. Improvement phase (2/3)
March April May June
• New Jira
version
supporting
Kanban
• Beginning of
cycle time
follow-up
19/10/2012 Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 22

23. Control chart (cycle time)
March April May June
• New Jira
version
supporting
Kanban
• Beginning of
cycle time
follow-up
19/10/2012 Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 23

24. Cumulative Flow Diagram
March April May June
• New Jira
version
supporting
Kanban
• Beginning of
cycle time
follow-up
19/10/2012 Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 24

25. Improvement phase (2/3)
March April May June
• New Jira • Evolution of
version morning
supporting meeting
Kanban format
• Beginning of
cycle time
follow-up
19/10/2012 Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 25

26. Improvement phase (2/3)
March April May June
• New Jira • Evolution of • Definition of
version morning swim lanes
supporting meeting per sponsor
Kanban format • Biweekly
• Beginning of • Resuming Kaizen
cycle time prioritization meeting
follow-up on a biweekly replaced by
basis monthly Lean
Coffee
19/10/2012 Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 26

27. Lean Coffee board
March April May June
• New Jira • Evolution of • Definition of
version morning swim lanes
supporting meeting per sponsor
Kanban format • Biweekly
• Beginning of • Resuming Kaizen
cycle time prioritization meeting
follow-up on a biweekly replaced by
basis monthly Lean
Coffee
19/10/2012 Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 27

28. Improvement phase (2/3)
March April May June
• New Jira • Evolution of • Definition of • Drop physical
version morning swim lanes whiteboard in
supporting meeting per sponsor favor of
Kanban format • Biweekly digital version
• Beginning of • Resuming Kaizen
cycle time prioritization meeting
follow-up on a biweekly replaced by
basis monthly Lean
Coffee
19/10/2012 Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 28

29. Digital whiteboard
March April May June
• New Jira • Evolution of • Definition of • Drop physical
version morning swim lanes whiteboard in
supporting meeting per sponsor favor of
Kanban format • Biweekly digital version
• Beginning of • Resuming Kaizen
cycle time prioritization meeting
follow-up on a biweekly replaced by
basis monthly Lean
Coffee
19/10/2012 Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 29

30. Improvement phase (2/3)
March April May June
• New Jira • Evolution of • Definition of • Drop physical
version morning swim lanes whiteboard in
supporting meeting per sponsor favor of
Kanban format • Biweekly digital version
• Beginning of • Resuming Kaizen • Anticipation
cycle time prioritization meeting of flow
follow-up on a biweekly replaced by perturbation
basis monthly Lean risks
Coffee
19/10/2012 Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 30

31. Depth of implementation (2/3)
Visualize
Improvement
Limit WIP
s
Nov-11
Mar-12
May-12
Feedback
Manage Flow
Loops
Explicit
Policies
19/10/2012 Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 31

32. Successes (3/3)
July August September October
• Full • Strong reactivity for unplanned • Self-
autonomy of topics with great ROI, business organization of
team in crisis agility pairs/backup
situation • Evolution of management to peer
• Spontaneous leadership and mentoring • Beginning of a
Kaizen new
meeting on improvement
testing cycle
process
improvement
19/10/2012 Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 32

33. Depth of implementation (3/3)
Visualize
Improvement
Limit WIP
s
Nov-11
May-12
Sep-12
Feedback
Manage Flow
Loops
Explicit
Policies
19/10/2012 Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 33

34. Recipe for success by DJA
Ready In progress 1 Done
Recipe for Why and
success by how
DJA Main
Kanban ?
5’ 5’milestones
15’
Recipe or
not recipe
?
5’
Questions
Conclusion
& answers
5’
19/10/2012 15’
Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 34

35. Recipe for success by DJA
1. Focus on quality
2. Reduce work-in-progress
3. Deliver often
4. Balance demand against throughput
5. Prioritize
6. Attack sources of variability to improve
predictability
19/10/2012 Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 35

36. The recipe to begin (1/3)
December January
November February
2011 2012
• Limitation of • Monthly
work in prioritization
progress committees
suspended (no
available
bandwidth)
Reduce work-
in-progress
Balance demand
against throughput
19/10/2012 Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 36

37. The recipe to improve (2/3)
March April May June
• Resuming • Anticipation
prioritization of flow
on a biweekly perturbation
basis risks
Prioritize
Attack sources of
variability to improve
predictability
19/10/2012 Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 37

38. The recipe for success (3/3)
July August September October
• Self-
organization of
pairs/backup
peer
• Beginning of a
new
Attack sources of improvement
variability to improve cycle…
predictability
?
19/10/2012 Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 38

39. A strange recipe…
 An endless recipe
 Never repeated the same way
19/10/2012 Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 39

40. Recipe or not recipe ?
Ready In progress 1 Done
Recipe or Why and
not recipe how
? Main
Recipe for
Kanban ?
5’ 5’milestones
success by
15’ DJA
5’
Questions
Conclusion
& answers
5’
19/10/2012 15’
Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 40

41. Recipe or not recipe ?
 Proven good practices of the recipe
 Triggers evolution to a continuous
improvement culture
 Favorable context is essential
 Leadership in the team
 Acceptation by management
19/10/2012 Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 41

42. Conclusion
Ready In progress 1 Done
Why and
Conclusion how
Main
Recipe for
Kanban ?
5’ 5’milestones
success by
Recipe or
DJA
15’not recipe
5’ ?
5’
Questions
& answers
5’
19/10/2012 15’
Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 42

43. Conclusion
 Smooth evolution to a continuous
improvement culture
 Leadership, essential ingredient
 What’s next ?
19/10/2012 Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 43

44. Expedite : intervention of CIO
Ready In progress 1 Done
Intervention Why and
of CIO how
Main
Recipe for
Kanban ?
5’ 5’milestones
success by
Recipe or
DJA
15’not recipe
5’ ?
5’
Conclusion
5’
Questions
& answers
19/10/2012 15’
Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 44

45. Questions & answers
Ready In progress 1 Done
Questions Why and
& answers how
Main
Recipe for
Kanban ?
15’ 5’milestones
success by
Recipe or
DJA
15’not recipe
5’ ?
5’
Conclusion
Intervention
of CIO
5’
5’
19/10/2012 Kanban - The (non)recipe for success – Nicolas Morin – LKFR12 45

46. Thanks
To all the team:
Abdel, Adnene, Aïcha, Anne, Arnaud B., Arnaud
T., Aude, Aymen, Belhassen, Constant, Dorra, Frédéric, G
aëtan, Gilles, Hiral, Imen, Jérôme, Kameiliya, Khaled, Larb
i, Maryse, Mathieu, Nadim, Ninh-
Thi, Ophélie, Raphaël, Sonal, Sylvain, Valérie, Vyomesh
And to the whole Kanban community !
Nicolas Morin @nicolas__morin
http://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolasmorin1 http://nicolasmorin1.wordpress.com