ABSTRACT
Visualization is an important starting point for managing in real time, either on the shop floor or in the department where the work is being completed. This chapter focuses on ensuring manufacturers are measuring the correct items, and then shows them how to utilize the best visual format on their shop floor and in their office. It discusses four major types of visual boards: office boards, plant boards, value stream boards, and team boards. A plant board is used in the production area, but it represents all the value streams within an entire plant. It is a very important tool not only for managing the business from the shop floor, but also to drive and measure improvements. A value stream board is similar to the plant board, but deals only with the flow through a particular value stream. It should be updated weekly and managed by the value stream manager.
