Creating a Lean Culture, 3rd Edition

Visual Controls ◾ 95

Start with an array of slots or pockets on a board labeled with clock

times or days of the week or month depending on expected turnaround

time. Place a tag or the actual order paperwork in the opening that cor-

responds to when the item is due out. If the paperwork or tag appears in

a “late” spot, or if the overdue item’s tag remains on the array for Tuesday

at11 a.m. and it’s now Tuesday at 4 p.m., it is late.

Presto! With a glance at the board the status of performance (and rea-

sons recorded on the accompanying log sheet) is immediately clear to

all. No interpretation is required, nobody needs to make bar code scans

(or ...