by Allan Ung

"The purpose of visual management is to make the invisible visible."
Taiichi Ohno
Introduction
Visual management is a powerful tool that can help organizations improve their processes, communication, and collaboration. By using visual displays, metrics, and controls, organizations can create a culture of transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement. In this blog, we have discussed the definition and importance of visual management, its applications in lean manufacturing, the benefits it offers, and the various visual management techniques and tools that organizations can use to achieve their objectives. We have also highlighted some of the common mistakes in the application of visual management, and provided best practices for effective implementation.
Definition of Visual Management
Visual management is the practice of displaying information in a visual format to enhance understanding and communication. It is a method of conveying important information in a simple and easy-to-understand format. Visual management uses different visual tools to represent data in a graphical format, such as charts, graphs, diagrams, or photographs. This method of communication helps to reduce confusion, errors, and misunderstandings, leading to improved decision-making and process improvement.
Visual Management Is and Is Not
Visual management is a method of using visual aids such as charts, graphs, and other visual representations to enhance understanding, communication, and process improvement. It is a lean management tool that can help teams in identifying problems, improving teamwork, and increasing productivity.
However, visual management is not just a matter of putting up posters or charts on the walls. It is a systematic approach to analyzing processes, identifying areas for improvement, and designing visual aids that are suitable for the team and the organization. Furthermore, visual management is not a one-time event, but rather an ongoing process of continuous improvement.
While visual aids can facilitate communication and problem-solving, they are not a substitute for critical thinking or face-to-face communication. Visual management tools can only enhance these activities, but they should not replace them.
It is also important to note that visual management is not isolated from management standard work. Management standard work includes defining and communicating clear expectations, setting goals, providing resources, and holding people accountable for performance. Visual management should be integrated into management standard work to track progress, identify issues, and facilitate problem-solving.
The Importance of Visual Management
Visual management is a powerful tool for process improvement, as it helps to make information readily available and accessible to everyone in the organization. By providing a visual representation of data, it allows people to quickly understand the current status of a process, identify problems and opportunities, and take appropriate actions. Visual management also helps to enhance communication between different departments and levels of the organization, leading to better teamwork and collaboration.
Benefits of Visual Management
The benefits of visual management include:
1. Improved communication: Visual management helps to enhance communication by providing a simple and easy-to-understand way of conveying information.
2. Reduced errors: By providing a visual representation of data, visual management helps to reduce errors and mistakes.
3. Increased efficiency: Visual management helps to identify and eliminate waste, resulting in increased efficiency.
4. Improved decision-making: Visual management provides information in a format that is easy to understand, leading to improved decision-making.
5. Better teamwork and collaboration: Visual management helps to enhance communication and collaboration between different departments and levels of the organization.
Types of Visual Management

Types of Visual Management
There are three types of visual management:
1. Visual displays: Visual displays are used to provide a visual representation of data. Examples of visual displays include graphs, charts, and diagrams.
2. Visual metrics: Visual metrics are used to measure the performance of a process. Examples of visual metrics include cycle time, lead time, and throughput.
3. Visual controls: Visual controls are used to monitor and control a process. Examples of visual controls include andons, warning sensors, and poka-yoke.
The Visual Management Triangle
The Visual Management Triangle is a concept that illustrates the three key elements of effective visual management. These elements are seeing as a group, knowing as a group, and acting as a group.
