Kanban Cycle in SAP: Product Development Control
Kanban is one of the best methodologies for project management. It is now widely used all over the world. Partially that is because of its unique ability to visualize the workflow. It allows the software development companies and teams to analyze their work, to predict its result, and to create new business strategies. In this article we will tell you about Kanban cycle in SAP. This is not a simple issue and it requires to be described in greater detail. To understand the nature of Kanban control cycle in SAP we should, first of all, define the terms.
Of course, some of our readers have heard of SAP. However, there are also people who don’t know what it is. That is why it is necessary to spell out this acronym and say a few words about it. SAP is an acronym for “Systems Applications and Products”. This is the name of a famous German software development company that originated in 1972. Today SAP products are used by the largest international corporations. The software created by this company is considered one of the best in the world.
At this moment every software developer who reads this article may ask a question: “How do they do that?” The answer is simple and complex at the same time. From the very beginning of its existence SAP Corporation has used only the best methodologies of software development. Its project management tools are supreme, and the work of its employees is organized properly.
You probably will not be surprised as you find out that SAP uses Kanban methodology while creating its software. However, this is not the ordinary Kanban method. The company has upgraded it significantly to manage its projects. Kanban control cycle in SAP is one of the illustrations for that. Let’s look at it in greater detail.
The definition of Kanban control cycle in SAP is quite simple. Usually it is depicted as a control cycle table or chart. It is much simpler to understand it if it is visualized. However, we will describe it in words. Kanban control cycle in SAP is actually nothing other than a definition for the relationships between the demand source and the supply source. Such definition may be applied not only to software development. It is compatible with any industry.
Regardless of the production you are creating, you always have customers that are your demand sources and suppliers that also may be defined as supply sources. The process of manufacturing can be described as relationships between them. Your company is an intermediate agent in these relationships. That is why SAP specialists define the Kanban control cycle as the time required to deliver the request of the customer to the supplier, produce the required software, and deliver it to the customer. The time required for this cycle is usually similar. However, it depends on the type of production and the project’s complexity range. The term “control cycle” means that you can control the process of product development at all stages of this cycle. You can make it go faster or slower depending on the situation and the customer’s requirements.
