Profitability framework

In your journey to becoming an efficient consultant, understanding various work management systems is crucial. One such system that has made a profound impact, particularly in the world of technology and services, is Kanban.Before we dive into the current applications of Kanban, it's important to acknowledge its origins. Kanban was born in the late 1940s within the walls of Toyota's manufacturing plant in Japan. Taiichi Ohno, an industrial engineer at Toyota, introduced Kanban to improve manufacturing efficiency. The word 'Kanban' translates to 'billboard' or 'signboard' in English, emphasizing the visual nature of the system. Ohno was inspired by the supermarket model of product replenishment, where stock is replaced as soon as it depletes. He applied the same principle to Toyota's production lines, effectively aligning inventory levels with actual parts of consumption. The implementation of Kanban led to significant improvements in Toyota's productivity and efficiency, setting the foundation for what we now call 'Lean Manufacturing'.Fast-forward to the present, Kanban has evolved beyond manufacturing and found its way into the technology and services industries. The system, still true to its origins, is designed to maximize efficiency, limit work in progress, and, most importantly, visualize your work. Derived from the Japanese word for 'visual signal', Kanban is an effective tool for making intangible or invisible work more understandable.By understanding the roots and evolution of Kanban, you, as a consultant, can better appreciate its applicability across industries and harness its principles to improve operational efficiency on diverse projects. It is also important to realize that Kanban is a process management system that aids decision-making in a collaborative manner.Understanding Kanban PrinciplesOne of the defining characteristics of Kanban is its adherence to existing work structures. Kanban isn't a disruptive force like Scrum; it's a set of four principles that respect current roles and responsibilities, thereby easily integrating into your current workflow.The focus is on improving the flow of work, not changing what you're already doing. This pragmatic approach encourages leadership from all levels, fostering a team-wide commitment to making Kanban work.If these principles resonate with you, you may want to take the first step into the Kanban world by creating a Kanban board.Utilizing Kanban BoardsA Kanban board is a visual tool designed to categorize the various stages of work, from inception to completion. This process of transitioning tasks from one phase to another is referred to as the 'workflow'. Each stage in the workflow is represented by a column on the Kanban board.Kanban boards can be as simple or as complex as required. While it's usually recommended to start simple, more columns can be added to represent additional stages in the workflow as needed. Digital tools like Trello and Jira, as well as physical boards on walls or whiteboards, can all serve as Kanban boards.The Power of Kanban CardsThe basic units of a Kanban board are Kanban cards. Each card represents a work item and is moved across the board as it progresses through the workflow. Each card should have a title, a description, and an owner. It can also include additional details, such as due dates.It's important that the tasks represented by Kanban cards are manageable in size. Too large, and a card could stagnate, clogging up the workflow. Too small, and your board could become chaotic and difficult to manage.The use of cards in this way has several benefits. For instance, bottlenecks in the workflow become visible as cards start to pile up, and over time, teams can better gauge the size of tasks that can be handled efficiently.Understanding Flow and Lead Time'Flow' refers to the smooth transition of work from the backlog to the 'done' state. By visualizing the work process, Kanban helps teams improve this flow, increasing productivity.Once you've mastered the concept of flow, the next metric to consider is 'lead time'. Lead time measures the time it takes for a card to traverse the entire workflow, from the moment work begins on it to the point when it's completed and delivered to the customer.In conclusion, understanding and implementing the Kanban system can significantly enhance your efficiency as a consultant. By visualizing work, managing tasks, and optimizing flow, Kanban can bring method to the madness, even in the most chaotic (remember the Stacey-Matrix) of work environments.Why Should I Know About Kanban When I Want to Be an IT Consultant?Understanding and utilizing the Kanban system can be particularly advantageous for IT consultants. In the ever-evolving world of IT, where multiple tasks and projects run concurrently, the visual nature of Kanban can significantly aid in managing complex workflows. It can help identify bottlenecks early, enabling consultants to streamline processes and enhance productivity.Furthermore, by measuring lead time, consultants can gain valuable insights into project timelines, improving their capacity for accurate planning and forecasting. As a result, they can provide more reliable delivery estimates to clients, enhancing customer satisfaction and trust. Additionally, the adaptability of Kanban allows for its use in a variety of IT projects, irrespective of the methodologies being used, be they Agile, Scrum, or others. Therefore, a strong understanding of Kanban equips IT consultants with a versatile tool that can improve their efficiency and deliver better results for their clients, especially those who are in digital transformation.

Why do people make the choices they do? What drives individuals to engage in specific behaviors, whether it's adopting a healthy lifestyle, conserving the environment, or buying a product? These questions have intrigued psychologists and researchers for decades.One theory that has shed light on the complexities of human behavior is the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Developed by Icek Ajzen in the late 1980s, the TPB provides valuable insights into how our intentions shape our actions.In this article, we'll delve into the core concepts of the TPB and explore its applications in various domains, helping us better understand the driving forces behind human behavior. If you understand this concept as a consultant, it can help to focus on a topic while working on a growth strategy or market entry case.The Theory of Planned Behavior: A Brief OverviewThe Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) is a psychological framework that seeks to explain and predict human behavior by focusing on the role of intention. At its core, the TPB proposes that an individual's intention to engage in a particular behavior is the primary determinant of whether they will actually perform that behavior.Let's break down the key components of the TPB:Attitude toward the Behavior (A): This component reflects an individual's overall evaluation of a specific behavior. It is influenced by their beliefs about the outcomes or consequences of that behavior and the importance they attach to those outcomes. In simple terms, do they think the behavior is good or bad, and do they care about its outcomes?Subjective Norm (SN): Subjective norm considers the perceived social pressure or influence on an individual regarding the behavior in question. It takes into account the person's beliefs about whether people important to them approve or disapprove of the behavior, and their motivation to comply with these perceived norms.Perceived Behavioral Control (PBC): This factor assesses the extent to which an individual believes they have the necessary resources, opportunities, and abilities to engage in the behavior. It considers the barriers, facilitators, and self-efficacy related to the behavior.According to the TPB, these three elements - attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control - combine to shape an individual's intention to perform a specific behavior. Importantly, intention is considered the immediate precursor to actual behavior. The stronger one's intention to perform a behavior, the more likely they are to follow through.Applications of the TPBThe Theory of Planned Behavior has found applications in various fields, helping researchers and practitioners understand and influence behaviors in diverse contexts.Here are a few examples:Health Behavior: In the realm of health, TPB has been used to study behaviors such as smoking cessation, vaccination acceptance, and adherence to medication regimens. By understanding the factors shaping intentions, health professionals can design more effective interventions.Environmental Conservation: TPB has been applied to promote environmentally friendly behaviors such as recycling, energy conservation, and sustainable transportation choices. By addressing attitudes, social norms, and perceived control, campaigns can encourage eco-friendly actions.Marketing and Consumer Behavior: Businesses use the TPB to gain insights into consumer choices. By examining consumers' attitudes, the influence of reference groups, and perceived control over purchase decisions, marketers can tailor their strategies to better meet customer needs.ConclusionThe Theory of Planned Behavior offers a valuable framework for understanding the factors that drive human behavior. By focusing on the interplay between attitudes, social norms, and perceived control, this theory helps us decode why people make the choices they do. From health interventions to environmental campaigns and marketing strategies, the TPB's applications are far-reaching. It empowers researchers and practitioners to design more effective interventions and initiatives by targeting the factors that shape intentions. Ultimately, by unraveling the mystery of human behavior, we can work toward creating a better world where informed choices lead to positive outcomes.