In Lean manufacturing and Continuous Improvement, one of the most powerful tools is also one of the simplest: visual management. At its core, visual management is about making information, responsibilities, and performance visible to everyone — instantly. When done well, it reduces confusion, highlights progress, and makes problems impossible to ignore.
At My Visual Management, we specialise in designing boards and workplace solutions that bring this principle to life. Our products help teams across industries simplify communication, track KPIs, and keep improvement front and centre.
Why Visual Management Matters in Lean
Lean manufacturing is built on eliminating waste, streamlining processes, and empowering teams. Visual management supports these goals by ensuring that important information doesn’t stay hidden in spreadsheets, emails, or conversations. Instead, it’s displayed clearly where work happens.
For example:
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A KPI board shows whether targets are being met.
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A 5S board makes it obvious if tools and equipment are in the right place.
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A cleaning station highlights standards and responsibilities for workplace organisation.
This visibility creates a culture of accountability and encourages quick, proactive problem-solving.
Benefits of Visual Management
Companies that adopt visual management often see benefits such as:
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Clear communication — everyone understands the current status at a glance.
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Increased accountability — teams see their responsibilities and progress daily.
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Stronger engagement — employees are empowered to take ownership of results.
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Sustainable improvement — visual cues keep Lean and 5S principles active every day.
At My Visual Management, we make performance and priorities visible.
How to Implement Visual Management
Implementing visual management starts by asking: What information does my team need to see instantly? From there, you can decide which tools will support your goals.
We typically recommend starting small — for instance, with a single KPI board or cleaning station — and then expanding once your team has experienced the benefits. Consistency is key: boards should be updated regularly and positioned where they will be seen and used.
Our team at My Visual Management works closely with customers to design practical, durable boards tailored to their processes. By focusing on clarity and ease of use, we ensure your boards remain valuable long after they’re installed.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
While visual management is straightforward, there are pitfalls:
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Overloading boards with information makes them confusing.
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Neglecting updates leads to disengagement.
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Inconsistent design causes frustration rather than clarity.
That’s why we emphasise clean, professional layouts that are easy to maintain. Our boards are designed not just to look good on day one, but to keep delivering value for years.
Making Continuous Improvement Visual
Visual management is more than a set of tools — it’s a mindset that transforms the way teams work. By making processes and performance visible, businesses can strengthen communication, foster accountability, and keep Lean principles alive.
At My Visual Management, our mission is simple: Making Continuous Improvement Visual. Whether you’re just beginning your Lean journey or looking to enhance existing systems, our tailored solutions can help you achieve clarity, focus, and long-term results.
Cleaning stations
Make status instantly accessible, in one place
Get visual management right first time
Successfully embed 5S processes
Track key objectives and make them visual
Visually support your Gemba Walk
Deliver at-a-glance recognition
Examples of our Continuous Improvement boards
Continuous Improvement steps
CI Kanban board with status tickets
Short Interval Control
Continuous Improvement strategy board
QMS Overview Board
Theatre Improvement Board
CI foreign langauage board
Continuous Improvement status
Concerns Board
Complaints board
Short Interval Control
Continuous Improvement board
Short Interval Control
PDCA board
Use status circles for updates
Kaizen for KPI tracking
Line Continuous Improvement
Kanban Continuous Improvement
Dry wipe status circles
Plan Do Check Act status dial
Processes for Continuous Improvement
Kaizen for Continuous Improvement
Loss Elimination Board
Colour coding Continuous Improvement
Colour code your Plan Do Check Act
Show your targets
Plan Do Check Act Board
Continuous Improvement Process Board
Use colour for Continuous Improvement
Use colour in your 5S design
Kaizen room meeting schedule
Lean environment strategies
The PDCA cycle visually
Show Continuous Improvement visually
Plan Do Check Act status dial
Kaizen PFU boards
Errors Board
Short Interval Control Board
Kanban Continuous Improvement
PDCA cycle
Show your processes
Track daily progress
Workstream whereabouts CI
SIC status board
Track customer feedback performance
Add status dials to your 6S board
Update progress with status meters
Plan Do Check Act board
Use the Plan Do Check Act cycle
Food Production CI
KATA Improvement
Plan Do Check Act
Track targets as a department
KPI board with document holders
Practical Problem Solving board
Visual Management with status dials
Status dials with percentages
Use dry wipe status indicators
Quality Station Continuous Improvement
Our Approach
We create visual management boards everyday. As a result we have plenty of experience. We work for organisations in food production, the power industry, national rail, pharmaceuticals, education, healthcare, packaging and distribution.
Our team works with a simple idea or sketch and creates a professionally designed layout. This is then turned into a highly functional visual management board.
We offer customised options because we want to create the perfect board for you. So, here are a few examples. We can add magnetic areas or a dry-wipe finish (for use with whiteboard pens). Furthermore, you can choose Red/Green sliders or R.A.G. (Red, Amber, Green) status dials so you can quickly and visually update your board. These are just a few examples of the ways in which our boards can be tailored to meet your needs. You may also be interested in whiteboard overlays that can be used on top of an existing magnetic board.
