LEAN ENTERPRISE - Visual Workplace

The intent of a visual factory is that the whole workplace is set-up with signs, labels, color-coded markings, etc. such that anyone unfamiliar with the process can, in a matter of minutes, know what is going on, understand the process, and know what is being done correctly and what is out of place. The visual workplace is a compelling operational necessity, crucial to meeting daily performance goals, central to your company's war on waste, and fundamental to Lean and its vastly reduced lead times and accelerated flow. The physical workplace speaks for itself — enabled at last to tell us exactly where things are, what needs to be done, by when, in what quantity, by whom and how.

Visual systems reduces or eliminates waste such as:

• Searching
• Waiting
• Interruptions
• Questioning
• Mistakes
• Guessing
• Delays
• Rework
• Injuries

There are two types of application in visual factory: displays and controls.

• A visual display relates information and data to employees in the area. For example, charts showing the monthly revenues of the company or a graphic depicting a certain type of quality issue that group members should be aware of.
• A visual control is intended to actually control or guide the action of the group members. Examples of controls are readily apparent in society: stop signs, handicap parking signs, no smoking signs, etc.