Drive Continuous Improvement with Visual Management Boards.

What is an SQDCP/SQCDP board?

SQCDP lean visual management board is part of daily shop floor management which easily visualises how teams perform on key indicators. SQDCP stands for Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and People. The board helps the team collaborate, analyse and initiate continuous improvement activities.

What is the purpose of the SQDCP board?

The purpose of the SQDCP visual management board is to monitor and analyse how teams or departments are performing in key areas, to be more specific in areas such as Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, and People.

SQCDP Board example

Different Metrics and Visual Management Boards

Other than the SQCDP or SQDCP boards, organisations can customise the boards according to their specification. Various metrics such as SQDCP, SQCDP, SQDC (QDIP), SQDCL, QCD, ESQDCP, SQCPL, EQDCPS, SheQCPLDCPS, SQCDPS and SQDCPS are evaluated consistently to provide a better understanding of where they are in the roadmap to success.

• S - Safety or Site Action or Sales
• Q - Quality
• C - Cost or Customer
• D - Delivery
• P - Production or Performance or People
• L - Lean
• E - Environment
• She - Safety, Health & Environment
• I - Inventory

Why is SQDC important?

SQDC tracks and monitors performance in the categories of Safety, Quality, Delivery and Cost, provides visual assessment and initiates continuous improvement activities.

What is SQDCPE?

SQDCPE stands for Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, People and Environment. These metrics are widely used in organisations to track and measure performance.

What is Visual Management Board?

Visual management boards, also known as electronic or virtual visual management boards, are the heart of any organisation that is progressive. The daily work management board provides real-time information regarding what is happening in and around the organisation, enabling teams to collaborate and communicate in real-time. Let us now have a look at why organisations need lean six sigma visual management boards, their advantages and various types of daily management boards.

What are Visual Boards used for?

Online lean manufacturing visual management boards act as a tool for proper communication in a lean environment. These boards give an overview of all the information, and teams can see real-time updates and retrieve updated information every single time.Visual project tracking boards give clear feedback to the team on how they are progressing, that is their goal vs actual. How to start a Visual Management Board? Well, organisations have now shifted from traditional/physical to digital visual management boards to enhance the overall daily management process. Irrespective of industries, digital visual management boards are used in manufacturing, healthcare, production, construction, energy, utilities, transportation, pharmaceuticals, oil & gas, food & beverages, commerce, education and all other industries.

Daily Lean Visual Management Board Examples

Examples of lean visual management or visual control boards include Continuous Improvement Boards, 5S Boards, Visual Performance Boards, SQDIP Boards, Kanban Boards etc. Now let us have a look at these visual management board examples/ideas in detail.

Continuous Improvement Visual Boards

Visual management boards are essential to driving continuous improvement within the organisation. These boards keep track of the continuous improvement efforts and keep the team updated regarding the progress. The dashboards always provide the team with updated information.

5S Boards

Digital lean 5S visual management boards help the team implement and sustain the 5S process within the organisation. These digital boards keep track of the standards and ensures on a daily basis that the set standards are being followed and drive continuous improvement. The 5S visual management shows the processes to be carried out in a visual way, using which organisations can track and analyse their progress.

Visual Performance Boards

Digital visual performance boards provide a quick and comprehensive view of the overall performance. Be it the employees or the processes; users can track and monitor progress by keeping an eye on the associated performance KPIs.

Visual Management & Kanban Boards

Kanban boards act as the foundation for continuous improvement in an organisation. The visual management Kanbanize board helps the team identify and address tasks based on their importance. Teams can address crucial issues as soon as it is found. Using a visual Kanban board, each team can update the status of their own tasks and be accountable for their progress. Kanban visual management production scheduling boards streamline and optimise the production plan making the job flow more transparent and efficient.

Digital Obeya Boards for Visual Management

Toyota first introduced ‘obeya rooms’, which means a “large room”. The idea was to bring together the leaders from different departments to address ground-level reality and help them focus more on the big picture goals. Obeya rooms had visually engaging charts and graphs which depicted their progress. It also promotes problem-solving among the teams, builds communication and encourages team building. Digital Obeya Boards have all the above-mentioned attributes; in addition, information in digital boards is not prone to error, easily accessible and retrievable.

SQDIP Boards

SQDIP boards provide relevant information related to metrics such as Safety, Quality, Delivery, Inventory and Productivity. The SQDIP board facilitates continuous improvement by providing accurate and reliable information.

What is the Kaizen Board?

Kaizen board is a visual management tool that helps organisations initiate, drive and monitor continuous improvement efforts. The process of continuous improvement begins with the identification of problems and later on initiating action plans to drive continuous improvement.

What are the benefits of using digital SQDCP boards compared to traditional physical boards?

How can SQCDP boards improve visual management in a production environment?

• Centralised Information: SQCDP boards are a central hub for presenting Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). By consolidating this information in one place, they clearly represent the production status and performance metrics.
• Real-time Data Visibility: SQCDP ensures that the information displayed is up-to-date and accurate. This enables workers and management to have a clear and immediate understanding of the current state of operations.
• Visual Tracking of Targets: SQDCP boards typically include targets or goals for each metric. These targets are visually represented on the board, making tracking progress and identifying improvement areas easy. This visual tracking fosters accountability and motivates teams to work towards achieving their targets.
• Issue Identification and Escalation: By visually highlighting areas with problems or deviations from the standard, teams can quickly identify and address these issues, preventing further complications or delays.
• Standardised Communication: SQCDP boards provide a common visual language that everyone can understand, eliminating confusion and promoting consistent communication.
• Continuous Improvement: By visualising performance metrics, teams can identify areas for improvement and take proactive measures. This fosters continuous improvement and process optimisation.
• Team Engagement and Collaboration: SQDCP boards provide a platform for team members to share information, discuss challenges, and propose solutions. This collaborative platform promotes teamwork, problem-solving, and collective ownership of performance metrics.
• Training and Development: By displaying best practices, work instructions, or training materials, they support skill development and knowledge transfer, ensuring that teams have the necessary information to perform their tasks effectively.

Is it possible to connect the 1-3-10 rule with SQDCP boards for timely process management and to identify deviations from standards?

The 1-3-10 second rule, which is used in lean manufacturing and can be applied to SQDCP boards as well.

The 1-3-10 second rule states that when an abnormality occurs in a process, the person responsible for that process should notice and respond to it within a specific timeframe. Here's a breakdown of this rule:

• 1 second: Any abnormality or deviation from the standard should be noticed within 1 second by the person working on the process.
• 3 seconds: Once an abnormality is noticed, the person should take action or inform the appropriate individual within 3 seconds. This could involve stopping the process, adjusting, or notifying a supervisor.
• 10 seconds: If the issue cannot be resolved within 3 seconds, the person should escalate the problem to a higher management level within 10 seconds. This ensures timely intervention and prevents the problem from affecting downstream processes or causing delays.

What are the benefits of implementing visual management boards in manufacturing sectors?

Visual management boards represent Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and production metrics, enabling real-time monitoring and evaluation. It promotes transparency, accountability, and a deeper understanding of the current state of operations. Visual management boards also facilitate effective communication and collaboration among team members, fostering a culture of shared responsibility and continuous improvement. Visual management boards drive productivity and motivate employees to work towards common goals by displaying targets, progress, and deviations. Moreover, it enhances problem-solving by quickly identifying issues, promoting timely decision-making, and enabling prompt corrective actions. SQDCP boards optimise workflow, promote efficiency, and support the achievement of operational excellence in the manufacturing sector.

How can SQDCP boards assist in the daily huddle process?

SQDCP boards can greatly assist in the daily huddle process by providing a visual representation of Key Performance Metrics (KPI) and goals. These boards serve as a central hub where team members can gather and quickly assess the status of various operational aspects. The SQDCP boards facilitate focused discussions during the huddle by displaying safety incidents, quality metrics, delivery targets, cost data, and people-related information. This visual aid helps team members identify areas of concern, track progress, and collaborate on problem-solving strategies concisely and efficiently. The boards promote transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement, enabling teams to align their efforts, share knowledge, and make data-driven decisions to drive positive outcomes.

How can SQCDP boards help identify and address bottlenecks in a process?

SQDCP boards are visual management tools used to identify and address bottlenecks in a process. These boards provide a concise overview of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) related to Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and People. By displaying real-time data and metrics, SQDCP boards enable teams to identify bottlenecks and improvement areas in the process quickly. The visual nature of the boards enhances communication and collaboration among team members, facilitating problem-solving and decision-making. With this clear visibility, the team can promptly address bottlenecks, optimise the process, and improve overall performance.

What role do SQDCP boards play in tracking and improving productivity?

SQDCP Boards visually represent Key Performance Indicators related to productivity, such as output, efficiency, and utilisation. By displaying real-time data and metrics, SQDCP boards enable teams to track their productivity and performance and identify any potential bottlenecks or areas of improvement. The visual nature of the boards enhances transparency and accountability, as team members can quickly see how their productivity measures up to the set targets. This visibility fosters a sense of ownership and encourages continuous improvement efforts. By regularly reviewing the data on the SQDCP (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, People) boards, teams can analyse trends, identify root causes of productivity issues, and implement targeted actions to improve productivity and overall process efficiency.

How can SQDCP boards be utilised to promote continuous improvement?

SQDCP boards are powerful tools for promoting continuous improvement. By regularly updating the data on the SQDCP boards and through regular reviews, teams can track their current progress, identify trends, and spot deviations from desired performance. This visual management approach fosters a culture of continuous improvement, as teams are encouraged to analyse the data, perform Root Cause Analysis (RCA), and implement action plans. The transparency and visibility of the boards facilitate communication and collaboration, allowing teams to share insights, ideas, and best practices. As a result, SQDCP boards become a catalyst for continuous improvement efforts, driving teams towards enhanced Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost savings, and People engagement.

How can SQCDP boards be customised to meet the specific needs of different departments or processes?

SQDCP boards can be easily customised to meet the specific needs of different departments or processes. Apart from the core metrics of Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and People (SQDCP) boards, additional metrics such as SQDIP (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Inventory, People) or SQDCPM (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, People, Morale) can be incorporated based on the requirements. By tailoring the metrics displayed on the boards, organisations can align them with the unique goals and priorities of each department or process.

This customisation ensures that the boards reflect the specific performance indicators that are most relevant and impactful. Additionally, the boards' layout, design, and colour-coding can also be adjusted to suit the preferences and visual management needs of different teams. This flexibility allows SQDCP boards to support continuous improvement efforts across various departments and processes effectively.

How do SQDCP boards contribute to waste reduction and process management?

SQDCP boards assist with waste reduction and process management by visually representing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and fostering continuous improvement.

• Standardisation: SQDCP boards establish standardised processes, reducing variations and errors that lead to waste generation.
• Visualisation: By displaying KPIs, SQDCP boards create transparency and awareness, allowing teams to identify inefficiencies and waste in real time.
• Problem-solving: The boards facilitate quick problem identification and prevent it from escalation, ensuring that waste or process-related issues are promptly addressed.
• Drive Collaboration: SQDCP boards encourage cross-functional collaboration by providing a central hub for communication and information sharing, enabling teams to work together towards waste reduction goals.
• Promote Accountability: By tracking and displaying performance metrics, SQDCP boards help individuals and teams be accountable for waste reduction efforts, fostering a culture of ownership and continuous improvement.
• Enable Data-Driven Decision Making: With data displayed on the boards, teams can make informed decisions to optimise processes and reduce waste based on real-time information.

What strategies can help you effectively utilise SQDCP boards in a dynamic work environment?

• Create a culture of transparency and accountability: SQDCP boards should be accessible to all team members, and everyone should be accountable for their contributions.
• Set clear goals and expectations: The purpose of the SQDCP board should be clearly defined, and everyone should understand their roles and responsibilities.
• Regularly review and update the board: The SQDCP board must be updated regularly to reflect changes in the project or work environment.
• Use the board to track progress and identify risks. The SQDCP board can track progress against goals, identify risks, and make informed decisions about the project.
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders: The SQDCP board can be used to communicate with stakeholders about the project's progress, risks, and challenges.

What are some best practices for designing effective SQDCP boards?

While designing SQDCP boards, there are several important aspects to consider. Before starting anything with the board, clearly define the purpose and goals of the board to ensure alignment with the organisation's objectives. Use visual indicators and standardised templates to clearly and consistently represent key metrics and performance targets. Keep the information concise and easy to understand, using colour coding to highlight trends or exceptions. Ensure the board is easily accessible to relevant stakeholders and updated regularly to maintain relevance and usefulness. Finally, encourage active participation and engagement by involving team members in the board's design and implementation, fostering ownership and accountability for improvement initiatives.

How can SQDCP boards be integrated with lean management tools like Kanban or 5S?

SQDCP boards, which stands for Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and People, can be easily integrated with lean management tools such as Kanban or 5S to enhance operational efficiency. Kanban, a visual scheduling system, can be used with SQDCP boards to manage the flow of work, ensuring that tasks are completed on time and contributing to the "Delivery" aspect of SQDCP. Additionally, the 5S methodology, which focuses on workplace organisation and standardisation, can create an organised and visually appealing environment around the SQDCP boards, facilitating easy access to information and improving overall efficiency. This integration allows for a comprehensive approach to lean management, addressing Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and People in a synchronised manner.

How do SQDCP boards enable real-time monitoring of performance metrics?

The boards typically consist of clearly defined sections or columns dedicated to each metric, with relevant information and data displayed in an easily understandable format. SQDCP boards facilitate real-time monitoring of performance metrics by visually representing key indicators. Team members and managers can update the boards as changes occur, allowing immediate visibility into performance trends and deviations from targets. This real-time monitoring facilitates prompt identification of issues or opportunities, enabling timely corrective actions. The transparency and accessibility of SQDCP boards foster a culture of continuous improvement and empower teams to track and manage performance metrics efficiently and actively.

How can SQDCP boards help in aligning team goals and objectives?

SQDCP boards play a crucial role in aligning team goals and objectives by providing a centralised platform for clear communication and visualisation of targets. By prominently displaying these metrics, team members can quickly see how their individual efforts contribute to the overall team and organisational goals. The boards are a focal point for discussions, enabling team members to discuss progress, challenges, and opportunities regularly. This promotes transparency, collaboration, and accountability within the team, fostering a collective understanding of the goals and objectives that must be achieved. Through regular updates and discussions around the SQDCP boards, teams can align their efforts, identify areas for improvement, and work together to meet or exceed their shared goals and objectives.

What are the potential mistakes to avoid while implementing SQDCP boards?

While implementing SQDCP boards, it is important to avoid certain mistakes. One common pitfall is creating too complex or cluttered boards, making it difficult to understand and interpret the information. Keeping the SQDCP boards simple and focused on the key metrics is essential to ensure clarity and ease of use. Another mistake is treating the boards as a one-time implementation rather than an ongoing process. Regular updates and maintenance of the boards are crucial to keep them relevant and reflective of current performance. Additionally, it is important to ensure that the boards are accessible to all relevant team members and that there is a clear communication plan to explain their purpose and how they should be used. Finally, there needs to be more follow-up and action on the information displayed on the boards to maximise effectiveness.

How can SQDCP boards be used to promote cross-functional collaboration and problem-solving?

By visualising key metrics and performance indicators related to these areas on a shared board, different departments and teams can gain a holistic view of the organisation's overall performance and identify areas of improvement. This transparency encourages collaboration and communication between various functions, enabling them to work together to address challenges, share insights, and propose innovative solutions. SQDCP boards create a common language and framework for problem-solving, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement throughout the organisation.

How do SQDCP boards contribute to identifying and resolving safety issues?

SQDCP boards play a crucial role in identifying and resolving organisational safety issues. The visual representation of safety-related data, such as incident rates, near misses, or safety compliance measures, allows teams to identify any concerning trends or areas of weakness quickly. This early identification enables timely intervention and the implementation of proactive measures to prevent accidents or injuries. Moreover, the collaborative nature of the SQDCP board encourages cross-functional discussions and problem-solving, facilitating the sharing of best practices, lessons learned, and the development of effective safety strategies. SQDCP boards enhance safety awareness, promote accountability, and support resolving safety issues by fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.

How do SQDCP boards promote employee engagement and involvement?

SQDCP boards encourage employee engagement and involvement by creating a transparent and inclusive environment. By visualising key metrics and performance indicators, SQDCP boards provide employees with a clear understanding of organisational goals and performance expectations. This transparency fosters a sense of ownership and accountability among employees, as they can see how their work contributes to the organisation's overall success. SQDCP boards also encourage active participation and involvement by providing a platform for employees to share ideas, insights, and suggestions for improvement. This collaborative approach empowers employees, making them feel valued and recognised for their contributions, and ultimately leads to higher engagement levels and a more motivated workforce.

How do SQDCP boards support lean manufacturing principles?

SQDCP is a visual management system that aligns with lean manufacturing principles, such as visual control and communication. SQDCP boards enable real-time monitoring of production processes, identifying bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and waste. This visibility allows teams to take immediate action, make data-driven decisions, and implement continuous improvements. By promoting transparency, collaboration, and problem-solving, SQDCP boards help drive lean initiatives, streamline operations, reduce waste, and enhance overall efficiency in the manufacturing process.

How does SQDCP contribute to cost reduction or cost control?

SQDCP boards enable cross-functional teams to identify cost-saving opportunities, streamline processes, reduce waste, and optimise resource allocation. SQDCP boards allow teams to monitor and analyse cost-related data in real-time, identify waste, inefficiency, or excessive spending areas, and take appropriate actions to address them. By promoting transparency, collaboration, and problem-solving, SQDCP boards facilitate cost-conscious decision-making, allowing organisations to optimise processes and improve resource utilisation. This focus on cost control and reduction ultimately leads to improved financial performance and increased profitability.

What are the key elements of SQDCP that help streamline delivery operations?

Organisations can effectively track and manage their delivery operations by incorporating Key Performance metrics on the board. Safety checks the well-being of employees and the protection of goods during transportation. Quality ensures that products meet customer expectations and minimise the risk of defects or delays. Delivery focuses on timely and efficient transportation, including on-time delivery, reducing lead times, and optimising logistics. Cost emphasises cost control and efficiency in the delivery process, ensuring that resources are utilised effectively. People highlight the importance of a skilled workforce, effective communication, and collaboration to optimise delivery operations. These elements provide a comprehensive framework for organisations to streamline and improve their delivery operations.

How does SQDCP support the implementation of quality control measures?

SQDCP encourages quality control measures by incorporating quality as a key element on the board. By visualising key quality metrics and performance indicators, organisations can monitor and assess the quality of their products or services in real time. This transparency enables teams to promptly identify deviations or issues, facilitating early intervention and corrective actions. SQDCP boards also promote cross-functional collaboration, allowing teams to share insights, best practices, and lessons learned to enhance quality control. By providing a visual management system, SQDCP fosters a culture of continuous improvement and empowers employees to take ownership of quality control measures. SQDCP supports organisations in ensuring consistent and high-quality outputs by facilitating effective monitoring, problem-solving, and collaboration.

What are the ways in which SQDCP boards support and improve Gemba walks?

SQDCP boards support and improve Gemba walks in several ways. Gemba walks, which involve observing processes at the "actual workplace", can be enhanced by having SQDCP boards. These boards visually represent Key Performance Indicators, allowing Gemba walkers to quickly grasp the current state of safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people metrics. This information enables them to ask targeted questions, identify deviations from the desired state, and engage in meaningful discussions with employees on the shop floor.

SQDCP boards help in the documentation of Gemba walk findings. Leaders or Project coordinators can directly update observations, improvement opportunities, and action items on the boards, making the information easily accessible and visible to others. This promotes accountability and follow-up on identified issues.

SQDCP boards also facilitate the tracking of progress and continuous improvement resulting from Gemba walks. By regularly updating the boards with improvement initiatives and their outcomes, organisations can monitor the impact of Gemba walks and ensure sustained progress over time.