Visual Management
– an Overview
What is Visual Management?
• Visual Management is a set of techniques
for creating a workplace embracing visual
communication and control throughout the
work environment.
• The visual management philosophy is
underpinned by the view that ‘what gets
measured & displayed gets done’
• It makes it easy to understand the
processes which have been put into place
The Vision
• The work environment should be immaculate,
safe and self-cleaning
• Standards are easy to recognise and abnormal
conditions are quickly identified, enabling
speedy analysis & resolution.
• Performance and progress are readily apparent
to employees.
• Plans are in place to significantly reduce or
remove waste and defects in the process.
Two Tools of Visual Management
Displays
Controls
To make staff aware of
related data and
information
– charts, graphs etc
To guide the action of
staff members – sign
boards, dos and
don’ts signs
Visual Display
• Using visual mechanisms to communicate
information
• Visual display builds on the fourth ‘S’
(standardise)
• Show how to do the job (standard, agreedupon best practice).
• Show how things are used.
• Show performance status.
• Identify hazardous areas
Types of Visual Display
• Product and process information
• Area information, boundaries
• Standard work instructions - Standard work
charts, etc
• Performance information - tracking against key
metrics
• Status of current issues and improvement
activities
• Schedules of maintenance, calibration or other
support activities
Visual Control
• Goes beyond simply tracking and
reporting performance and any
• Highlights deviations that occur from the
planned outcomes.
• Many forms of visual control exist in the
Lean workplace
Types of Visual Control
• Shadow boards
• Indicators on various items e.g. gauges
• Heijunka boards – showing the status of
daily schedules
• Design pull systems (Kanban)
Benefits of Visual Management
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Leads to information sharing.
Facilitates worker autonomy.
Supports elimination of waste.
Fosters continuous improvement.
Exposes abnormalities.
Enables quick response & recovery.
Promotes prevention.
Maintains the gains.
Steps Required To Implement A
Visual Management System
There are three basic steps:
1) Organise the workplace using 6S
2) Ensure that all required work standards,
instruction and related information are
clearly displayed in workplace
3) Control workplace processes by
exposing and stopping errors and by
preventing future occurrences