The Kanban Method includes many techniques to improve capability to handle challenging workloads. It also offers techniques for managing customer demand.  That means handling more requests without hiring more workers, reorganizing, or requiring disruptive new processes.  In this way, Kanban balances customer demand with capability to fulfill demand. Restoring the balance means that customers can get the services they need without overloading the workers.

When a natural or man-made disaster occurs, there is an extreme shift in which demand for services greatly and suddenly exceeds capability to fulfill those service requests.  Survivors of disasters need urgent services for health, housing, and financial assistance. They need emergency care and then need to rebuild. Capability that existed before the disaster may be reduced or destroyed.  Conditions in the days following the disaster can make the demand surge while capability continues to decline.

Ready Option is taking the best guidance on applying the Kanban Method and extending it to meet the needs of situations with high risk including disaster management.

That means looking at ways to supercharge the flow of work until stability is restored to the system.  Identifying standard services needed in a post-disaster scenario and creating Kanban system design templates.  Paying particular attention to ways to improve communication and coordination within and between humanitarian agencies.

The best way to improve the handling of pre- and post-disaster services is to improve the systems of work for experienced disaster management experts and relief workers.  Making it easier for them to do their jobs is the best way we can support and enhance recovery from these traumatic situations.