
42 ◾ Lean Production Simplified, Third Edition
Visual Management
The 5S system is designed to create a visual workplace, that is, a work envi-
ronment that is self-explaining, self-ordering, and self-improving.
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In a visual
workplace, the out-of-standard situation is immediately obvious and employ-
ees can easily correct it. Managing thus, on the basis of exceptions, makes
excellence possible. Michel Greif in his fine book, The Visual Factory,
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defines the visual management triangle (Figure3.1).
We made a grave error when we eliminated visual controls such as wall
schedules and replaced them with computers. Wall charts support the visual
managemen ...