Visual Workplace Benefits

In a visual workplace, information such as instructions, warnings, standards and other knowledge critical to the manufacturing process are built right into the physical environment.  The visual devices are positioned at the point of use and are designed to be easily understood at a glance, thereby eliminating information deficits that lead to wasted time and motion.

To further understand the benefits of visual management, think about the visual devices used on our roads and highways.  Lane indicators and medians guide our path, while stop signs and traffic signals control flow at intersections.  Street signs and addresses provide direction, and parking spaces instruct us where and how to store our vehicles when not in use.  These visual devices work as an integrated system, and are so embedded in the environment that we hardly even notice them.  But their function is critical to the smooth flow of goods and people along our nation's roadways, as well as to our safety and well being. 

The same principles apply to the work environment!   Stop and think about the tremendous benefits that could be gained by creating a workplace where employees are guided by visual information - information that enables them to know at a glance what to do, how to do it properly, and where to find the items needed to complete the job.  

 
According to Dr. Gwendolyn Galsworth, author of "Visual Workplace, Visual Thinking" , an effective implementation of visual systems has resulted in the following dramatic improvements: 

• 15% increase in throughput
• 70% cut in materials handling
• 60% decrease in floor space
• 80% decrease in flow distance
• 68% reduction in rack storage
• 45% decrease in number of forklifts
• 12% decrease in engineering cycle time
• 50% decrease in annual physical inventory time
• 96% decrease in defects

The potential impact on productivity, quality, on-time delivery, inventory and equipment reliability is truly enormous.   And this, in turn, boosts bottom-line profits and maintains a sustainable competitive edge in the marketplace.