Carla Märkl
We live in an age of information overload, as the amount of information we are exposed to daily often takes on overwhelming dimensions. Initially, this flood of information often consists of raw information that is only useful if adequate methods are used to derive insights from it.
They say we humans are visual creatures- this is exactly where visual management, or visual management, enters the picture. While it is difficult even for the trained eye to recognize correlations from different rows of numbers, even a toddler manages to interpret bar charts and to identify a meaning from the visual representation of numbers. It is therefore obvious that data visualization is a powerful tool for evaluating, utilizing and communicating data.
data visualization as a visual management tool.
Visualization is the process of mapping information, controlled by rules that interpret data and represent its values as visual properties. With the help of graphical representation, patterns, dependencies, and trends of data become tangible. For the viewer, the analysis of the information is simplified and thus the usability of the data is increased. But why is this so? Why do we find it easier to consume graphically visualized data than raw data?
This is where Gestalt principles come in: using psychological terms, it describes the ability of humans to classify visual elements according to groups. Thus, connections can be more easily recognized through colors, shapes, sizes, and other visual features. A Gestalt is defined as a clearly recognizable whole, appears self-contained and organizes itself spontaneously during the process of perception.
what does visual management mean?
In a production environment, visual management is the use of visual aids to control production processes. In general terms, visual management describes the use of visualization as a management tool. It is based on the idea that problems can only be solved if they are visible – this applies to all areas of the company, from production to administration.
The aim of visual management is to inform employees quickly, comprehensible, and in a targeted manner so that people involved in the process can correctly assess any situation given and thus make informed decisions.
the advantage of visual management in worker guidance.
Worker management combines parts of information management and knowledge management. Its purpose is to communicate information in the correct way to the right employee at the right time while driving the evolution from individual to collective knowledge.
The use of visual management on the shopfloor often looks like this in action: Instead of service instructions, documents, and written directions, visual management uses images, symbols, or graphics to convey information to recipients more quickly and effectively. For example, a traffic light display provides information on the status of production in less than a second, and a recommendation for action can be derived straight away.
For instance, a display can be provided to the worker on the assembly line, via which he or she receives information regarding the work steps and can even interact with it if necessary. In the manufacturing industry, for example, the personnel assembling a workpiece manually can be informed via an image of which production part has to be placed at which position. Once this step has been completed, a touchscreen monitor or other device can be used to confirm the operation. The monitor then directly displays the instructions for the next work step. This ensures maximum safety and precision of the work performed, even in the case of complex work processes that arise repeatedly, reducing the error rate and increasing the efficiency of the work process.
Another advantage is that visualization makes work processes, process progress, and goals transparent for everyone involved, which increases understanding of one’s own involvement in achieving goals, promotes identification with the company, and thus strengthens motivation. In doing so, visual management uses the advantages of visual signals over words or writing. This means that visual signals can be grasped quickly, and only intuitive understanding is required, without knowledge of a written or spoken language.
and where does Peakboard come into play?
With Peakboard, key figures are displayed in the right light on individual dashboards in a visually appealing and comprehensible way. This gives all employees exactly the information they need to make informed decisions.
Peakboard’s interactivity also offers the option of interacting directly with the visualization via a touchscreen. In addition to a self-determined way of working, this also has the advantage for workers that the work progress can be transferred directly to the system without a media break. This saves time and reduces the risk of errors.
Our templates offer numerous examples of visualizations that can be used to guide workers in manual production. Choose the template that suits you best or design your own individual dashboard with the Peakboard Designer.
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