Visual Management

Visual Management is a process which provides a simple, visual signal to an immediate and readily apparent understanding of a condition or situation. Visual controls enable someone to walk into a work area and have a general knowledge of what is happening with regards to that work process. Visual Controls should be efficient, self-regulating and manage by the work staff. Through the use of visual signals one should be able to gauge the following:
  • Production schedules
  • Backlog
  • Workflow issues
  • Inventory levels
  • Resource utilization
  • Quality
Visual controls should include:
  • Kanban cards
  • Andon lights
  • Color coded tools
  • Product flow work lines
  • Clearly delineated work stations