Step 6: 5S Visual Workplace
Assistance with the Tools: while Lean Management is all about developing a robust problem-solving culture, there are several tools that will help you develop cross-functional thinking. The tools are merely a structured means to develop a nimble, problem-solving culture.
These tools may require explanation and assistance to teach, which is where your membership comes in super handy. Please call upon the knowledge and experience of our members in the Members Directory to assist you in the application of these tools.
From experience, don't do it alone, use the decades of collective knowledge of the Network.
We are all committed to your success and looking forward to helping you!
These tools may require explanation and assistance to teach, which is where your membership comes in super handy. Please call upon the knowledge and experience of our members in the Members Directory to assist you in the application of these tools.
From experience, don't do it alone, use the decades of collective knowledge of the Network.
We are all committed to your success and looking forward to helping you!
Copyright
Visual Devices for Standardizing Husbandry Routines
Health Check Poster (MGH 2010) Visual Aid developed to assist technicians in identifying cases and the recommended next steps.
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Visual Control Legend: "What is expected of me and what is expected of the PI?"
Visual Control Legend (MGH 2014) In a collaboration with the Art Institute of Boston, MGH challenged designers to develop a visual lexicon to help staff and customers understand what is expected of them 24 hours a day. This system makes the workplace intuitive and helps the multi-lingual investigators by answering questions before they are asked.
Lean allows us to shamelessly steal from each other. Variations of this system has been adopted by vivaria around the world. |
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Workplace Organization and Visual Workplace (McGill 2016) instructional video on how to apply the "5S" technique to achieve workplace organization and the use of visual management.
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5S and the Visual Workplace: "How are they doing? How do I know?"
The Visual Workplace at McGill University (2016 Jarrod Nichol CLSSBB)
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics clearly demonstrate that as worker's productive decline, unit labor costs rise by significant factors. http://www.bls.gov/lpc/ Lost worker productivity has a direct correlation to employee morale and a poorly designed workplace. The Lean community estimates that worker value-added activity can be as low as 5% in an organization that does not support the work! In this video, Lean Sensei Jarrod Nichol walks us through the steps that develop workplace organization and the social contracts that support the work in a vivarium. |
Way too complex? (we know)
This is a sample worksheet that helps define the criteria and to train the eye to "see" what a highly-organized and intuitive workplace could look like. Perfection is the enemy of the good; we don't advocate for perfection, only the deeper understanding that the 5S questions prompt. Understanding "why" each level is important enables your team to see the advantages of applying 5S to everything. ![]()
A Simpler Worksheet for Scoring 5S Workplace Organization
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The Visual Workplace and Workplace Organization in the Vivarium at McGill University (2016 Jarrod Nichol CLSSB)
5S Training Module (2014 Murli & Associates)
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Lean Terminology: "what the heck is a Kanban?"
Terminology Handbook V1.0
Lean Management was based on the tools and techniques developed over 50 years by Toyota in Japan. Many of the terms used in Lean organizations retain their Japanese origins and words; some are not easily translated into English. Many organizations have replaced the Japanese terms with English terms, something we strongly advise you to do for ease of learning. These open-source handbooks are meant for reference only; take what you need and leave the rest behind. Modify as you see fit. Refer to the "Visual Control Legend" above for icon management. Please share your revisions with the VOE-Network community by sending them to: [email protected] |
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Kanban Techniques
"Kanban" is an inventory-control system to control the supply chain. Developed at Toyota, kanban is used to "pull" material when needed to improve efficiency or to communicate status or next steps.
Based on the American supermarket model of replenishing only what is needed to fill a shelf when the critical "low point" is reached, Kanban is gauged by consumer demand, available resources or time it takes to reorder. Once staff understands how Kanban supports them, they will eagerly develop systems that will make materal replenishment seamless. |
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Hazmat Encounter: What would you do?
What would they do?
Sometimes assumptions are made and communication missed that may expose technicians to a hazardous chemical encounter. While your processes and equipment may differ, this video may stimulate discussion among staff members to a) identify the problem, b) map out the current state, c) identify root causes and d) brainstorm potential countermeasures toward developing standardized response procedures as a team. Make up your own scenario and share it with our members! |
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How can we get help?
"How do you eat an elephant?
...one bite at a time." Tools can be intimidating and videos can only show so much. We want to help you succeed, it's as simple as that. Contact us and we will help to find the answer or will work to get you direct assistance from experienced practitioners. Sends us an email at: [email protected] |