Level 1: Visual Information

See the status quickly.

Boards, charts, lights, and metrics
make problems visible.

But awareness alone
does not fix problems.

Level 2: Visual Control

Abnormal conditions stand out immediately.

Andon lights.
Min-max levels.
Shortage signals.
Color zones.

Problems surface faster.
Teams react sooner.

This shows the correct way to work.

Shadow boards.
Standard work sheets.
Floor markings.
Visual instructions.

The workplace itself
guides behavior.

Less guessing.
Less variation.
Better consistency.

The process prevents mistakes by design.

Fixtures.
Sensors.
Interlocks.
Go/no-go devices.

The defect becomes difficult
or impossible to create.

Level 1 shows the condition.
Level 2 signals abnormality.
Level 3 shows the method.
Level 4 prevents the mistake.

That is when visual management
stops being decoration
and starts driving performance.

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➕ Follow Sergio D’Amico for more on operational excellence.

PS:
If your visuals only report problems,
you are still at the lower levels.