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The Visual Workplace: Includes Excerpts From: The Visual Factory, by Michel Greif Productivity Press

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195 views21 pages

The Visual Workplace: Includes Excerpts From: The Visual Factory, by Michel Greif Productivity Press

Uploaded by

milou88
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Visual Workplace

Includes excerpts from: The Visual Factory, by Michel Greif; Productivity Press

Copyright NN, Inc. 2004 Company Confidential


Why is a Visual Workplace Important?

The need for communication in a factory is very strong


Traditional methods of communication are not adequate:
• Department Memoranda
• Reports
• Telephones
• Computer Terminals
Why?
• Channels are overloaded
• Information is misinterpreted
• The environment is saturated
The problem is how to communicate with people at
close range, not long distance.

Copyright NN, Inc. 2004 Company Confidential


Point of Use Information

• What do you do here?


• What is the flow of the product?
• How well is the product flowing at this moment?
• Is production efficient or inefficient?
• What is the quality level of the various operations?
• What progress has been made to reduce inventory levels?
• To what degree is continuous improvement being practiced?

Where should the answers to these questions be found?


In the office area?
In the production area?
The environment at many plants is tedious because the
reality of production is not visible at the point where
production occurs.

Copyright NN, Inc. 2004 Company Confidential


Visual Messages Are More Effective

“I’ll believe it when I see it.” “A picture is worth a


thousand words.” “Now I see what you mean.”

Visual images send a more consistent message!

• Visual communication is predominant in organizations that seek


to reinforce employee autonomy.
• The emphasis is on openness, expansion of contacts, and
greater cohesion.
• Visual communication, above all, is a matter of company culture,
a culture where the essence is sharing.
• Companies that promote a visual workplace typically practice
other forms of workforce empowerment as well.
• A visual workplace enables people to see.
Copyright NN, Inc. 2004 Company Confidential
Visual Communication Takes Many Forms

The distinctive aspect of visual communication is that it is


intended for a group. This helps people to pull in the
same direction.
Visual Communication can be:
• a sign
• a label
• a photograph
• a display
• a trend chart
• a color scheme
• whatever serves the purpose
A visual message is observed by everyone working in a
given area, everyone who passes through the area, and
everyone who comes into range of visibility.
Copyright NN, Inc. 2004 Company Confidential
What Purpose is Being Served?

Visual Communication should be tailored to the audience


• If information is intended for cell operators, supervisors,
technicians, or management, then they must be personally
involved in the creation and maintenance of the visual
communication.
• Each objective that is posted for a factory or work cell
should have the effect of mobilizing the individuals
responsible for achieving that objective.
• Every flag, flashing light, or caution statement must be
linked to a corresponding set of actions and responsibilities.
• If no one is using a visual communication, it should be
removed.

Copyright NN, Inc. 2004 Company Confidential


Information Empowers Workers

The Visual Workplace Promotes Autonomy and Productivity


Has the group defined a productivity objective?
This objective must be visible.
Are operators responsible for quality?
Quality must be visible.
Must precise work instructions be followed?
These work instructions must be visible.
Has the team developed an improvement strategy?
This strategy must be visible.
Is the customer satisfied or dissatisfied?
This satisfaction level must be visible.
What do the people in this area do? What are these tools for? Are any
missing? What is this inventory? Are there any safety precautions in this
area? What is the current status of this line?

Copyright NN, Inc. 2004 Company Confidential


Examples of Workplace Communication

Visual
VisualProduction
ProductionControl
Control
• • Takt
TaktTime
Time
• • Production
ProductionSchedule
Schedule
The
TheTeam’s
Team’sTerritory
Territory
•• Boundaries • • Maintenance
MaintenanceSchedule
Schedule
BoundariesofofTerritory
Territory
•• Activities, • • Inventories
Inventoriesand
andWIP
WIP
Activities,Resources,
Resources,
and Products
and Products General
GeneralDisplays
Displays
•• Identification
Identificationofofthe
theteam
team •• Objectives
Visual
VisualQuality
QualityControl
Control Objectivesand
andResults
Results
•• Markings
Markingson
onthethefloor
floor • • Quality •• Mission
Qualitylosses
losses MissionStatement
Statement
•• Markings
Markingsofoftools
toolsand
and • • Statistical •• Concept
racks StatisticalProcess
Process ConceptPosters
Posters
racks Control
Control •• Improvement
ImprovementActivities
Activities
•• Information
Informationand
and • • Cautions
CautionsandandAlerts
Alerts •• Current
instructions
instructions CurrentProjects
Projects
• • Monitoring
MonitoringSignals
Signalsfor
for
Machines
Machines

There is no reason to try to do everything on this chart or to limit yourself to


what’s on this chart. Be creative and use what works.

Copyright NN, Inc. 2004 Company Confidential


The Visual Workplace

Overhead Scoreboards show performance to daily


production requirements.
Copyright NN, Inc. 2004 Company Confidential
The Visual Workplace

This maintenance control board is used for posting and


prioritizing maintenance tasks.
Copyright NN, Inc. 2004 Company Confidential
The Visual Workplace

W.I.P. Kanban system in Mountain City Factory

Copyright NN, Inc. 2004 Company Confidential


Set-up trolleys in the Veenendaal SMP factory

Copyright NN, Inc. 2004 Company Confidential


Set-up trolleys in the Veenendaal SMP factory

Copyright NN, Inc. 2004 Company Confidential


Maintenance area in the Rockwell - Marion Facility

Copyright NN, Inc. 2004 Company Confidential


The Visual Workplace

Finished Goods Stock Level & Channel Set-up in the


Kilkenny Factory

Copyright NN, Inc. 2004 Company Confidential


The Visual Workplace

Consumable tooling is clearly identified to prevent


the waste associated with searching.
Copyright NN, Inc. 2004 Company Confidential
The Visual Workplace

If a fixture is not on the rack at Power Systems’ Marion


Facility, it is in the machine.

Copyright NN, Inc. 2004 Company Confidential


The Visual Workplace

A display board of Level 3 principles and accomplishments


helps promote understanding and enthusiasm.
Copyright NN, Inc. 2004 Company Confidential
The Visual Workplace

After a 5S Kaizen in Rockwell-Gainesville, it is now clear


where things belong in the work cell.
Copyright NN, Inc. 2004 Company Confidential
The Visual Workplace

What are the odds that it is faster to locate tooling after this
5S Kaizen event in the Rockwell - Athens Plant?

Copyright NN, Inc. 2004 Company Confidential


The Visual Workplace

Visual labeling of parts and tooling, shadow boards, and color


coding at the Rockwell - Greenville Plant.
Copyright NN, Inc. 2004 Company Confidential

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