Visual Management

The purpose of visual management is to improve the effectiveness of communication and reaction. This is one component of Lean Manufacturing.

Visual aids can convey messages quicker and invite more interest than written information. And this also means exposing defects and problems to allow them to be addressed sooner....bad news doesn't get better with time.

This is a business management technique employed in many places where information is communicated by using visual signals instead of texts or other written instructions. The goal is allowing quick recognition of the information being communicated, in order to increase efficiency and clarity.

Effective visual management involves careful thought to have the best impact.

OBJECTIVE:

Expose waste (7-wastes) and make it clear to everyone.
The work area/cell/machine should "talk" to you in simple terms
The goals should be clearly indicated
The status of production should be found with the goals
Simple problem-solving tools on display (such as A3, 5-WHY)
Increased communication is ultimately what all the above will do

Don't get carried away...keep it simple:

5S controls can go beyond what is realistic and practical. Other times you'll find 6 lights stacked on a pole and no idea what signal they represent. Some may be blinking and others solid.

This can be too much for workers and management to understand. Or there may be complex statistics displayed that only the Six Sigma manager is familiar with, and the operator and supervisors will not understand.

Below are some examples of visual management, some simpler than others and we use them in our everyday lives.

Boards in the Wokplace

As the saying goes..."A picture is worth a thousand words".

Some other common types of Visual Management in the workplace:

And/On lights
Stock Controls and Signals
Cross-Training Matrix for Employees
5S (signs, tape, labels, color coding, etc)
Control Plans
Production / Quality / Delivery / Service Metrics
Glass Wall Metrics
FMEA's
Auditing Boards
Spare Parts Availability (flow racks)
Standard Operating Procedures or Standard Work
SPC on production floor
Preventive Maintenance Boards
Shadow Boards

With an understanding that some people are color blind it still doesn't hurt to use colors, or flashing, and universally recognized symbols where possible (such as a red cross). These examples below are more effective with their use of color and symbols.

Flow Racks

Flow racks have several positive features. They can function as a visual signal for Kanban min/max levels, offer first-in, first-out flow, and allow stock to be visual to the operator or consumer...and of course the use of free gravity.

Consider flow racks in Workcells or assembly operations and with a tugger route that replenishes the rack on a JIT basis based minimum Kanban levels.

Standard Operating Procedures

Visual aids should be used whenever possible when creating Standard Operating Procedures and Work Instructions (or Job Aids). Show actual pictures of the board and work area when possible and avoid cartoon-ish pictures to get the most effective communication.

Complex tasks that need a lot of explanation are helpful when explained with pictures, tables, or charts to simplify the intention. Break up all the verbiage with easier to read sections that have visual aids.

Some tasks (may seem simple) are difficult to explain in words. Take the example of tying a shoe, bowtie, or creating a square knot. Most of us could agree that pictures or a video are more effective means of illustrating this task.

Visual aids are also useful to maintain minimal measurement system variation. Showing pictures of acceptable and non-acceptable parts or having samples for operators or users is another great option of visual aid, and moreover, if the sense of feel or smell is involved in making a correct assessment.

Below are a couple examples where a visual aid makes the task easier than simply a written instruction. Visual Aids are often more appealing to an audience (such as charts and graphs) than a bunch of words.

Take a look at the Espresso visual aid on the right. A potential customer is more likely to examine and understand this than if it were just a bunch of words explaining each type.