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SUBJECT: Visual Management

ALPHANUMERIC IDENTIFIER: Supplied by Instructor (leave space for)

BRIEF DESCRIPTION: Visual management is a low-cost, easy to implement communication process that utilizes visual images to provide information. Examples of visual management include graphs, performance charts and overhead signs.

KEYWORDS: Visual, Graph

OVERVIEW:

One of the primary responsibilities of a front line supervisor involves communication: providing direction, discussing quotas and maintaining deadlines and quality standards. A challenge to front line supervisors is communicating all these topics to large numbers of people. Experts agree that it is more meaningful to show data than to just talk about it.

There has been much evidence that humans are more proficient and comfortable with visual information. The emergence of cave paintings well before written communication suggests that symbolic information is the preferred method of communication. Humans utilize vision for routine activities as well as complicated analysis and planning. The alphanumeric form of text was created, in part, for the ease of creating, storing and distributing mass documentation. However, the pictorial continues to surpass the text format in description and impact. It is much more difficult to describe a picture to someone when using only words. In today's information proliferating society, it has become more difficult to create an impact to memory. Visual tools can help to alleviate this challenge. It has been commonly accepted that "no matter how good you are with numbers, almost no one can read a matrix or grid of numbers as quickly as they can look at a picture" ("Special Report: Will Virtual Reality Place Charts for Visual Data Management?").

Visual management incorporates the benefits of visual aids with the notion of showing people how they are doing. There are many examples of visual management that can be applied in the manufacturing environment. For example, if a plant is suffering from low quality standards, one method of reminding workers about quality is posting large signs. Quality-related information can easily be depicted through large signs with colorful lettering or graphics reminding workers about quality. An efficient manager might conduct a brief meeting regarding the need to pay attention to quality, present the sign and then post the sign close to workers who most affect quality.

Another example of visual management is daily/weekly production schedules. By posting a production schedule for all workers to see, it will increase their understanding of what is expected and consequently, improve the productivity. An effective use of visual management would be posting an expected schedule and when a worker's/division's production met the numbers. Through this method, a worker can not only see when personal goals are attained, but the contribution to the overall production targets. By placing some form of visual communication for all to see, a supervisor re-emphasizes the importance as well as sets workers' expectations. When a division fails to meet a target, they should not be surprised that a supervisor wants to discuss production requirements with them.

Signs are another important use of visual management, but signs can be confusing and counter active if not designed properly. There are a few simple recommendations concerning signs. First, keep the signs simple. People respond better and are less likely to confused by direct signs such as "stop," "keep out" or "restricted." Second, avoid misinterpretations. Make sure that signs say what is supposed to be meant and cannot be misinterpreted. Third, the sign must remain visible. A sign that says "Keep area clear" will not be helpful if concealed by a stack of boxes.

Visual management is an effective, low cost and easily implemented communication channel that can have tremendous impact. The most effective managers will leverage this simple tool.

REFERENCES:

• Tufte, Edward, The Visual Display of Quantitative Information,
• Cheshire, Conn. Graphics Press, 1983
• Tufte, Edward, Envisioning Information, Cheshire, Conn. Graphics Press, 1990
• Tufte, Edward, Visual Explanations: Images and Quantities, Evidence and Narrative, Cheshire, Conn. Graphics Press, 1997
• Bielous, Gary, "Reaping the Rewards of Visual Management" Dow Jones Interactive, June 1, 1997
• Vailash, Gary S., "Visual management: at Honda" " Dow Jones Interactive, October 1, 1994
• Long, Michael, "The Sense of Sight" National Geographic, November 1992
• Jain, Ramesh, "Visual Information Management" Communication of the ACM, December 1, 1997
• "Special Report: Will Virtual Reality Place Charts for Visual Data Management?" Inside Market Data Waters Information Services, Inc., June 8, 1992

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: This is a March 29, 1999 revision by Gene Goodson of an assignment for OM742 contributed by Alta Yen.