Pizzas Kanban Game

The Pizzas Kanban Game is a playful simulation that teaches the principles of Kanban through the metaphor of pizza making. Participants discover the concepts of flow, work in progress (WIP) limits, and bottlenecks. This engaging game makes learning Lean fun and accessible to everyone.

Walkthrough

1. 1

   Introduction to Kanban

   10 min

   The facilitator briefly presents the principles of Kanban: flow, WIP limits, and bottlenecks. They explain the objective of the game: to produce pizzas while optimising the production flow. Participants are encouraged to ask questions to clarify the concepts before starting.

   Tip — Use concrete examples from everyday life to illustrate Kanban concepts.

2. 2

   Team Formation

   5 min

   Divide participants into teams of 4 to 6 people. Each team represents a pizza production line. Ensure that each team has the necessary materials for the game: fake ingredients, pizza trays, and order cards.

   Tip — Make sure each team clearly understands its role in the production line before starting.

3. 3

   Production Simulation

   15 min

   Teams begin producing pizzas according to the received orders. The facilitator monitors the process and reminds teams to respect WIP limits. After 5 to 7 minutes, they clap their hands to signal the end of the first production phase.

   Tip — Encourage teams to communicate and adjust in real-time to optimise their flow.

4. 4

   Results Analysis

   10 min

   Each team presents the number of pizzas produced, wasted ingredients, and encountered bottlenecks. The facilitator guides a discussion on possible improvements and lessons learned regarding flow management.

   Tip — Use a whiteboard to visualise the results and facilitate discussion.

5. 5

   Second Production Round

   15 min

   Teams apply the discussed improvements and begin a new round of production. The goal is to improve flow and reduce waste compared to the first round.

   Tip — Do a quick check-in halfway through to ensure teams are applying the improvements.

6. 6

   Conclusion and Recap

   10 min

   The facilitator concludes the game by summarising the key concepts learned. They emphasise the importance of continuous improvement in a Kanban system. Participants are invited to share their impressions and ask final questions.

   Tip — Encourage participants to reflect on how they could apply these concepts in their own work environment.

Variants

• Add a customer role that changes orders to simulate variable demand.
• Limit available resources to simulate production constraints.
• Introduce unexpected events, such as a machine breakdown, to test team resilience.