ABSTRACT

In Lean, visual display of information is intended to make the value stream visible so that it becomes the focus of daily team stand-up meetings centered on improving the work. The ultimate goal is to have visuals in the office do the same things they do on the manufacturing floor; namely, make the process health visible and drive improvements of the value stream. Space needs to accommodate Lean visuals. In many offices, there is no common shared space in which visuals can be displayed. Initially, any vertical surface might provide the space for visuals. This might be done in a hallway or on a conference room wall. Ideally, the visuals should be located near the team space or in a space the team regularly visits. When the value stream crosses multiple boundaries, visuals display process steps across the functions. Teams use physical boards to show the progression of work through the value stream.