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Visual communication areas can be powerful production tools.
"War room." The phrase conjures up images of generals standing around a table-sized map, plotting their next move. However, a growing number of manufacturers have begun instituting war rooms of their own.
Known as obeyas, these areas aren't used for planning hostilities. Rather, they're used to facilitate problem-solving. Manufacturers such as Boeing and Toyota use obeyas to improve productivity, address quality issues and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
The concept revolves around using visual communication tools, such as charts, graphs, laminated cards, magnets, sticky notes and wipe-off boards, to give project managers or assembly line managers responsible for daily results a big picture of what's happening. It allows them to focus on team efforts and coordinate actions.
An obeya helps break down the barriers that prevent employees from communicating and sharing information. Ideally, it encourages employees to pool their collective expertise and resources to make the best possible decisions.
Traditionally, an obeya (also spelled "oobeya") was confined to an enclosed space hidden within a plant. But, some manufacturers are now expanding the concept and implementing it on their production floors.
Obeya Defined
The term "obeya" can be interpreted different ways, but it should deliver similar results: better collaboration.
"The direct translation in Japanese is simply "big room," says Art Smalley, president of the Art of Lean Inc., and a former engineer at Toyota Motor Corp. "It implies a dedicated space for a specific problem where a group of team members will regularly meet to work on a specific topic for a given period of time. It involves work that is above and beyond the ordinary realm.
"Just having a big room for regular meetings was not really the original intent," explains Smalley. "The room should have a purpose and a goal that involves work that's beyond just regular work."
Smalley says numerous examples of obeyas exist outside of manufacturing. "There are many analogous examples for this style of meeting room," he points out. "Think of a mission control room at NASA, a dedicated prep room for the NFL draft, hostage crisis situations, or other instances where time and space is dedicated for a particular objective.
"These are not the exact same as an obeya at a Toyota...