Brief: to custom make a quality check station
Client: Kettle Foods
Industry: food production

Create a quality checkpoint

This quality station works because it offers instant visual reference. That is to say, it shows what good looks like. Therefore, it upholds quality standards.

In addition, it identifies major defects. This certainly shows what does not meet the quality standard.

Above all, this quality check station is where quality checks happen. Most importantly, this team knows the quality standards for its products.

How a quality check station works

In short, a quality station shows your quality standards. Above all, in a way that is immediately clear. There are three main ways this works. To clarify, let’s use this project as an example…

Firstly, show your quality standard in a visual way. In other words, use pictures to show what good looks like. For instance, on this quality check station there is a picture illustrating each quality standard.

Secondly, say what good is using words. For example, good is shown at the top of this quality check station in the Green row. Likewise, a Green tick over the picture instantly confirms this is the standard to meet. So Green therefore equals Good. Likewise, Red equals Bad. (We’ll discuss more about Red later…) In the meantime, to sum up, this Red/Green system works because it’s so easy to understand.

Finally, this quality station also shows what defects look like. So, while Green is Good, all defects are therefore in the Red section. As a result, this further upholds the easy Red/Green system. Furthermore, a Red cross confirms the defect is bad. In other words, these defects do not meet the quality standard.

In addition, defects are under the “major defects” heading. Importantly, one-word headings immediately define each defect. For example, “burnt”, “dark” or “unexpanded”. Nevertheless, extra details also help those requiring extra information after that. For example, dark is “darker than the colour standard but not burnt”.

Above all, this quality board is simple and clear. Therefore, quality standards are quick and easy to understand.

Branded quality check station – a checkpoint system

An interesting aspect of this quality station is that it carries its own branding. That is to say, the words “quality check station” appear in a pink rectangular background, like a logo.

Most importantly, this works because this team here is introducing numerous quality checkpoints. Each one is therefore easy to identify because the pink quality check logo acts as a signpost. Above all, quality checks are in action. Furthermore, checkpoints are easy to find.

Further visual ideas for quality check stations

Add Red Amber Green (RAG) status dials to show the status of quality targets. A further tip: make your quality station stand out. Therefore, make it outstanding! Clear, bright and engaging visuals are key.  To gain further ideas, see our quality station range.

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A bright, visually engaging Quality Station for our client Kettle Foods
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Different Quality standard boards tailored for each station
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Each board designed to communicate standards visually for ease of understanding
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Make your quality check stations easy to identify across your site
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Quality Stations communicate your rules effectively

Examples of our Quality Stations

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.

Discuss your custom visual management project further, because we deliver…