Generally, in a factory where improvement activities are dormant, we find the diferences between normal and abnormal are barely discernable. When there is a problem, it may be obscured by a large amount of inventory, and / or the lack of monitoring and timely feedback systems.

On the other hand, in a well managed factory, improvement activities are pursued actively and problems are exposed quickly so that corrective action can be taken. This is fundamental to good management. But abnormal conditions and problems need to be obvious enough to catch peoples attention.

Purpose of the Manual

The primary objectives of a company are to continually improve in the four areas of Safety, Quality, Cost and Productivity.

The purpose of this manual is to support the imporvement process, by introducing the mechinics of a visual control system which enable the abnormalities that occur in a work place to be identified and corrected quickly and effectively.

The promary objectives of the manual are;

• To provide an overview of the reasons and benefits of visual control
• To provide a source of training material for use during implementation

Recommended Literature

Visual Control Systems	Productivity Press
5S for Operators - 5 Pillars of the Visual Work Place	Productivity Press
TPM - Introduction to TPM, Total productive Maintenance	Productivity Press