6 Golden Rules of Kanban

Overview
There are 6 golden rules of kanban, and in some cases, they are also prerequisites to
implementing kanban.

First Golden Rule

Downstream processes always withdraw from upstream processes. More to the
point, if there is no withdrawal, kanban material is not moved.

Second Golden Rule

Upstream processes produce only when instructed. In other words, nothing is made
without a Production Kanban signal.

Third Golden Rule

Defects must never be passed on to the next process. This requires each worker to
self inspect their work instead of waiting for some “final inspection process” to examine the
product.

Fourth Golden Rule

Kanban should be attached to the actual part containers. These containers, as we’ve
already learned, may be things like bins or carts.

Fifth Golden Rule

In order for kanban to work properly production must be leveled.

Sixth Golden Rule

The best kanban is no kanban. Since kanban directly relates to inventory, we should
always aim to reduce the number of kanban in the system. Eventually, our ideal state should
always be to have a production system that receives orders at the first process and then flows
the inventory through the value stream without any delay or queue. When this is the case, no
kanban will be needed at all.

7. 6 Golden Rules of Kanban Page 1