What Is A Visual Workplace?

Companies that evaluate their processes are often surprised to learn that only a small fraction of the activities they do actually add value to the customer.  It is not at all uncommon for non-value added work (waste) to account for 50% or more of all the activities performed.  One of the primary causes of such wasted time and motion is information deficits - people just don't have the knowledge they need to do their jobs efficiently and effectively.

Most workplaces abound with information deficits.  Employees don't know what needs to be done, which tasks have top priority, or what the deadlines are.  Moreover, they often don't know the proper or most efficient way to perform assigned tasks, and they waste valuable time searching for tools, parts and materials.  The result is wasted time and motion - searching, asking, waiting, retrieving, reworking or just plain giving up!

A visual workplace is an environment where critical information is built right into the physical environment, eliminating the myriad of information deficits that stifle productivity and creativity.  These visuals serve to:

• Guide actions, providing easily understood instructions about what to do, when, and how to do it
• Detect abnormalities in products, equipment, processes - at the source and at a glance
• Provide performance feedback so workers know in real time where they stand in relation to goals and expectations
• Facilitate culture change and align actions at each level of the organization with higher level goals of the corporation