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Visual Communication
Andon Boards are electronic displays inside a plant that are typically used to display the location of line stoppages, progress toward the daily production target, and current quality performance. Andon Boards are usually hung from the ceiling in aisles where they are visible to everyone.
A fundamental principle of visual communication is to reduce work-in-process inventory, lower rack height, and move linked operations closer together so that it is easy for all to see the flow of material and visually understand what is going on.
The 5-S Process
can be used to clean and organize workstations to facilitate visual communication. Clutter is the enemy of visual communication and control.
Organization targets and goals can be broken down by area and posted on team or group display boards. This approach is used by Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) programs to deploy targets and goals and track performance at the team level. This can be a powerful visual tool if the process is employed consistently across teams, and all targets and goals are linked.
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Daily Meetings at the start of the shift are an effective way to keep everyone on track. The commitment to sacrifice production for improved communication transmits organizational values about the importance of communication.
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Skip Level Meetings can be used by upper management to maintain direct contact with the workforce and collect unfiltered information. The Editors know a plant manager that conducts skip level lunches with line operators every Friday to keep his finger on the pulse of the organization. However, care must be taken not to undermine first level supervisors.
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There is no substitute for Management By Walking Around - spending time where the action is to observe and understand what is really happening, and to show visible interest and support.
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All-Employee Meetings on a periodic basis can be used to share information about company performance and industry conditions.
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Internal Websites can be used to provide immediate general company information as well as links to training and benefit services. Some companies, such as Ford Motor, have gone so far as to provide PC's to all of their employees.
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Newsletters are a relatively simple but often overlooked medium to communicate information and company values.
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