Kamishibai (Visual Management)

Kamishibai (Visual Management) is a visual technique used to manage and improve processes through regular audits. It involves components like Kamishibai cards and boards, and follows a process of task selection, audit execution, and corrective action. Implementing Kamishibai offers benefits such as process visibility, continuous improvement, and team engagement, but it also comes with challenges like resistance and information overload. Its use cases range from production line management to project management and service delivery improvement. Key roles in Kamishibai include team leaders, frontline workers, and process owners.

Table of Contents

Components of Kamishibai

Kamishibai Cards: Kamishibai cards are physical cards containing specific tasks and audit items. These cards serve as visual cues for task management and process auditing.
Kamishibai Board: A Kamishibai board is a visual display that showcases the status of tasks, audit results, and other relevant information. It serves as a central point for monitoring and managing tasks.

The Kamishibai Process

Task Selection: The first step in the Kamishibai process involves choosing tasks for audit. This selection is based on factors such as task importance, impact on organizational goals, and relevance to process improvement.
Audit Execution: Regular audits are conducted using Kamishibai cards. Each card represents a specific task or process element to be audited. The cards are pulled from the Kamishibai board and used as a checklist during the audit.
Corrective Action: Based on the audit results, corrective actions are taken to address identified issues or deviations. These actions are aimed at improving processes and ensuring alignment with organizational objectives.

Benefits of Kamishibai

Implementing Kamishibai offers several notable benefits to organizations:

Process Visibility: Kamishibai provides improved visibility of processes and their performance. Visual indicators on the Kamishibai board allow teams to assess task status at a glance.
Continuous Improvement: Kamishibai fosters a culture of continuous improvement by identifying issues proactively and enabling teams to take corrective actions promptly.
Team Engagement: By involving frontline workers in task audits and improvement efforts, Kamishibai increases engagement and ownership among team members.

Challenges in Implementing Kamishibai

Despite its benefits, Kamishibai implementation can face several challenges:

Resistance: Overcoming resistance to change and the introduction of new ways of working can be a significant challenge in Kamishibai adoption.
Sustaining Effort: Ensuring consistent execution and maintenance of the Kamishibai system over the long term requires ongoing effort and commitment.
Information Overload: To avoid overwhelming Kamishibai cards with excessive data and information, organizations must strike a balance between detail and clarity.

Use Cases of Kamishibai

Kamishibai can be applied effectively in various scenarios:

Production Line Management: Kamishibai is used for task and quality checks in a production line, ensuring that operations run smoothly and efficiently.
Project Management: In project management, Kamishibai aids in monitoring task progress and allows for timely adjustments to project plans.
Service Delivery Improvement: Kamishibai can be implemented in service-oriented organizations to improve service delivery, enhance customer satisfaction, and ensure adherence to service standards.

Roles in Kamishibai

Several key roles are involved in the successful implementation of Kamishibai:

Team Leader: Team leaders are responsible for leading the Kamishibai process, conducting audits, and ensuring that corrective actions are taken when necessary.
Frontline Workers: Frontline workers perform Kamishibai tasks, follow audit procedures, and record results during the auditing process.
Process Owners: Process owners oversee the Kamishibai process, initiate corrective actions, and ensure that tasks align with organizational objectives.

Examples

Production Line Quality Control:
- Scenario: In a manufacturing facility, a production line is responsible for assembling electronic devices.
- Kamishibai Application: Kamishibai is implemented to ensure quality control. Kamishibai cards are created with specific audit items related to product assembly and quality checks. Team leaders and frontline workers regularly perform audits using these cards. When discrepancies or defects are identified during audits, corrective actions are initiated promptly. This approach improves product quality, reduces defects, and ensures that assembly processes are in compliance with quality standards.
Construction Project Progress Monitoring:
- Scenario: A construction company is working on a complex building project with multiple tasks and deadlines.
- Kamishibai Application: Kamishibai is used in project management to monitor task progress. Kamishibai cards outline various construction tasks and milestones. Project managers conduct regular audits using these cards to check task status and completion. If delays or issues are detected, corrective actions are taken, such as reallocating resources or adjusting timelines. Kamishibai helps ensure that construction projects stay on track, minimizing delays and cost overruns.
Healthcare Facility Patient Care:
- Scenario: In a hospital, providing high-quality patient care is a top priority.
- Kamishibai Application: Kamishibai is employed to enhance patient care processes. Kamishibai cards contain audit items related to patient care protocols, hygiene, and safety measures. Nursing supervisors and frontline staff perform regular audits, ensuring that care standards are met. Any discrepancies or non-compliance issues are addressed promptly through corrective actions. Kamishibai contributes to improved patient safety, quality of care, and adherence to best practices.
Customer Service Call Center:
- Scenario: A customer service call center aims to improve customer satisfaction and call resolution times.
- Kamishibai Application: Kamishibai is used to enhance service delivery. Kamishibai cards outline key call center tasks and performance metrics. Team leaders and call center agents perform audits to assess call quality, response times, and adherence to scripts. When issues are identified, corrective actions may include additional training, process adjustments, or coaching. Kamishibai helps maintain high service standards, leading to increased customer satisfaction and more efficient call handling.
Retail Store Inventory Management:
- Scenario: A retail store chain wants to ensure efficient inventory management across its locations.
- Kamishibai Application: Kamishibai is applied to monitor inventory levels. Kamishibai cards list inventory-related tasks, including restocking, inventory counts, and order placements. Store managers and employees conduct regular audits to assess inventory accuracy and identify any discrepancies. Corrective actions, such as adjusting order quantities or investigating stockouts, are taken based on audit results. Kamishibai contributes to optimized inventory management, reducing overstock and understock situations.

Kamishibai (Visual Management) Highlights:

Concept: Kamishibai is a visual management technique using cards and boards for process improvement through regular audits.
Components: Kamishibai Cards, Kamishibai Board.
Process: Task Selection, Audit Execution, Corrective Action.
Benefits: Enhances process visibility, fosters continuous improvement, increases team engagement.
Challenges: Overcoming resistance, sustaining effort, avoiding information overload.
Use Cases: Production Line Management, Project Management, Service Delivery Improvement.
Roles: Team Leader, Frontline Workers, Process Owners.

Related Frameworks, Models, or Concepts	Description	When to Apply
Visual Management	– Visual Management is a lean management practice that uses visual cues and tools to communicate information, monitor performance, and facilitate decision-making in the workplace. – It involves creating visual displays, charts, and metrics that provide real-time visibility into key processes, performance indicators, and improvement opportunities. – Visual Management enhances transparency, accountability, and problem-solving by making information accessible and understandable to employees and stakeholders.	– When organizations seek to improve communication, engagement, and performance by using visual aids to convey information, track progress, and reinforce standards and expectations. – Visual Management promotes a culture of continuous improvement and accountability, empowering employees to identify issues, make informed decisions, and drive operational excellence. – It is applicable in various contexts, including manufacturing, service delivery, and project management, where visual communication and transparency enhance efficiency, quality, and teamwork.
Gemba Walks	– Gemba Walks are a lean management practice that involves leaders or managers going to the place where work is done (the “gemba”) to observe operations, engage with employees, and gain firsthand insights into processes, problems, and opportunities. – It entails walking the shop floor, office, or work area to observe workflow, identify waste, and interact with frontline employees to understand their challenges and perspectives. – Gemba Walks promote leadership visibility, employee engagement, and continuous improvement by fostering open communication, problem-solving, and collaboration at the operational level.	– When leaders or managers want to connect with frontline employees, understand operational challenges, and drive continuous improvement by observing work processes and engaging with employees directly. – Gemba Walks provide leaders with valuable insights into the day-to-day realities of operations, enabling them to identify opportunities for process optimization, employee development, and performance improvement. – It is applicable in lean organizations, quality management, and leadership development, where leader presence and engagement at the gemba drive cultural transformation and operational excellence.
Kaizen Events	– Kaizen Events, also known as Rapid Improvement Events or Workshops, are focused, time-bound initiatives aimed at solving specific problems, improving processes, or achieving targeted objectives within a short timeframe. – It involves cross-functional teams coming together for a concentrated period to analyze problems, brainstorm solutions, and implement changes using lean and continuous improvement principles. – Kaizen Events enable organizations to make significant improvements quickly, engage employees in problem-solving, and create momentum for ongoing improvement efforts.	– When organizations need to address critical issues, implement process improvements, or achieve performance goals rapidly and effectively. – Kaizen Events provide a structured approach to problem-solving and improvement, allowing teams to focus their efforts, leverage collective expertise, and achieve tangible results within a short timeframe. – It is applicable in various contexts, including manufacturing, healthcare, and service industries, where rapid improvement and innovation are essential for competitiveness and sustainability.
Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) Cycle	– The Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) Cycle, also known as the Deming Cycle or Shewhart Cycle, is a four-step iterative problem-solving and continuous improvement methodology. – It involves planning (identifying objectives and developing plans), doing (implementing plans and collecting data), checking (analyzing results and comparing them to expectations), and acting (making adjustments and implementing changes based on findings). – The PDCA Cycle provides a systematic approach to process improvement, enabling organizations to test hypotheses, learn from experience, and drive continuous learning and adaptation.	– When organizations or teams want to improve processes, products, or services systematically by applying a structured problem-solving and improvement methodology. – The PDCA Cycle offers a framework for experimentation, learning, and adaptation, allowing organizations to identify root causes, test solutions, and implement changes in a controlled and iterative manner. – It is applicable in quality management, project management, and organizational development, where continuous improvement and innovation drive performance excellence and customer satisfaction.
A3 Problem-Solving	– A3 Problem-Solving is a structured problem-solving methodology that uses the A3 Report format to document the problem-solving process, analysis, and action plan on a single sheet of paper (A3 size). – It involves defining the problem, analyzing root causes, generating solutions, and developing an action plan with clear goals, responsibilities, and timelines. – A3 Problem-Solving promotes collaboration, transparency, and accountability by providing a visual and standardized format for communicating and managing problem-solving efforts.	– When organizations or teams encounter complex problems or opportunities that require systematic analysis, collaboration, and action to address effectively. – A3 Problem-Solving provides a concise and structured approach to problem-solving, enabling teams to clarify objectives, identify solutions, and implement changes in a clear and systematic manner. – It is applicable in various contexts, including lean management, quality improvement, and project management, where structured problem-solving and continuous improvement drive organizational effectiveness and innovation.
5 Whys Analysis	– The 5 Whys Analysis is a root cause analysis technique used to identify the underlying causes of a problem by asking “why” repeatedly to uncover deeper layers of causality. – It involves starting with the problem statement and asking “why” the problem occurred, then repeating the question for each subsequent answer until the root cause(s) are identified. – The 5 Whys Analysis helps teams understand the systemic causes of problems, rather than just addressing symptoms, and enables them to develop targeted solutions to prevent recurrence.	– When organizations or teams encounter recurring problems, errors, or incidents and want to understand the underlying causes to prevent them from happening again. – The 5 Whys Analysis provides a simple and effective approach to root cause analysis, empowering teams to identify and address the fundamental reasons for problems rather than applying superficial fixes. – It is applicable in quality management, process improvement, and problem-solving, where understanding root causes and implementing corrective actions drive continuous improvement and risk mitigation.
Fishbone Diagram (Ishikawa Diagram)	– The Fishbone Diagram, also known as the Ishikawa Diagram or Cause-and-Effect Diagram, is a visual tool used to identify and analyze the potential causes of a problem or effect. – It involves drawing a horizontal line representing the problem or effect and adding diagonal “bones” or branches representing different categories of potential causes (e.g., people, process, equipment, environment). – The Fishbone Diagram facilitates brainstorming and structured analysis of root causes, helping teams identify underlying factors and relationships contributing to the problem.	– When organizations or teams want to understand the complex interactions and factors contributing to a problem or effect and identify potential root causes systematically. – The Fishbone Diagram provides a structured and visual approach to root cause analysis, enabling teams to explore multiple perspectives, generate hypotheses, and prioritize areas for investigation and improvement. – It is applicable in problem-solving, quality management, and risk analysis, where understanding causal relationships and addressing root causes are essential for effective problem resolution and prevention.
Value Stream Mapping (VSM)	– Value Stream Mapping (VSM) is a lean management technique used to visualize, analyze, and improve the flow of materials and information across the entire value stream. – It involves creating visual maps or diagrams that depict the current state and future state of the value stream, identifying value-added and non-value-added activities, and prioritizing improvement opportunities. – Value Stream Mapping enables organizations to identify waste, bottlenecks, and inefficiencies in their processes, and develop action plans to streamline workflows, reduce lead times, and enhance overall value delivery to customers.	– When organizations aim to identify and eliminate waste, streamline processes, and optimize value delivery across the entire value stream. – Value Stream Mapping (VSM) provides a systematic approach to process analysis and improvement, enabling organizations to identify opportunities for waste reduction, cycle time reduction, and quality improvement. – It is applicable in various industries, including manufacturing, service, and healthcare, where process optimization and value creation are essential for achieving competitive advantage and customer satisfaction.
Heijunka (Production Leveling)	– Heijunka, or Production Leveling, is a lean manufacturing technique used to balance and smooth production across different product variants or demand fluctuations. – It involves scheduling production in small, frequent batches and leveling the mix and volume of products to match customer demand over time. – Heijunka reduces variability, eliminates overburden, and improves flow efficiency by aligning production with customer demand and avoiding peaks and valleys in workload and inventory levels.	– When organizations aim to improve production efficiency, flexibility, and responsiveness by leveling production volumes and smoothing demand fluctuations. – Heijunka enables organizations to optimize resource utilization, minimize lead times, and respond quickly to changing customer demand while maintaining stable and predictable production processes. – It is applicable in manufacturing environments with high demand variability, mixed product lines, and limited production capacity, where balancing workload and inventory levels are essential for meeting customer requirements and maximizing operational efficiency.