Visual management: what it is and how to work with it

Have you ever heard of spot management? Do you know what this concept is about, what are its advantages, and how to apply it? 

Visual management is a management model that has been very successful among managers, organizations, and workers. Companies have adopted spot management in order to attract and awaken productivity and engagement in their employees. Find out why and understand how to implement spot management to achieve incredible results!

What is spot management?

Basically, spot management is a management practice in which important information, indicators, codes of conduct, performance data, and any other relevant information are made available to everyone. This management model is available so that employees can visualize results. Generally, this information demonstrates the progress of work in each department or even the progress of the company as a whole.

We can also say that sight management is the communication of strategic information, which is arranged in an intuitive and fast way, aiming at greater independence and autonomy of employees.

The maxim of sight management is that everything is clear and visible. If a production line has large losses, for example, workers will find it difficult to normalize the situation. On the other hand, if that information is on a graph for all to see, they will be able to change it.

Keeping the results in sight is especially important for companies that have internal processes in constant motion and, at the same time, need to take care of the performance of their team.

In practice, how do the visible results appear?

Information technology, constantly advancing, allows the display of data online, which facilitates control and monitoring, as well as decision-making. Information can be updated online, and in real-time, increasing data effectiveness. Using graphs and performance indicators, for example, helps teams and employees visualize and monitor their performance and development, helping them to achieve established goals.

In insight management, all strategic information for the company must be exposed, that is, those that provide a total view of the business and shape organizational behavior and culture. This must occur continuously, easily accessible to all.

Cash management is not indiscriminate. The reported results should make sense and fit the team's context. Therefore, the more direct the relationship between the information and the team, the more efficient it will be. 

Often, when talking about visual management, also known as visual management and visible results, the first image that comes to mind is physical murals containing various information. Who knows, you might think of the monthly planning boards that are usually in the rooms of each department, or perhaps on the Kanban or Scrum boards. 

These tables are examples of spot management, but it is important to remember that this strategy can also be applied in other ways. The advantages of spot management go far beyond the possibility of seeing and remembering the activities of the month and the status of each project.

What are the advantages of spot management?

Not long ago, the ability to measure performance through data was considered an added advantage. Today, this has become essential, after all, information analysis is the most concrete way of evaluating performance and giving meaning to achievements.

Without the results in sight, a problem that could be quickly resolved in an instant can take days to identify. A lot of things need to be redone, optimized, or completely redesigned. But depending on how long it takes, the situation gets even worse.

But, with management in sight, problems can be avoided and resolved more quickly, in addition to enhancing improvements.

Keep following below other advantages of having results in sight.

• Facilitate and optimize processes;

• Improve motivation and personal satisfaction;

• Faster problem-solving;

• Increase dedication to meet objectives and goals;

• Stimulate autonomy and self-management of employees;

• Holistic view, that is, the total view of the business: employees come to realize that their actions have a collective impact, as well as an individual one;

• Faster decision-making, as the information is always at your fingertips, giving you broad knowledge of the situation and each context;

• Increase employee engagement and productivity;

• Decrease losses (activity with little cost and value) and increase gains (;

• Focus on what is really relevant, in addition to improving the decision on priorities;

• Improve existing people management strategies;

• Control goals, identifying when it is necessary to change strategy, abandon some action, or adopt new methods;

• Increase the employee's emotional commitment to the organization, as he understands the impact and results he brings to the company;

• Improved teamwork and relationships, encouraging cooperation and unity;

• Greater alignment between leaders and subordinates;

• Business development.

How to implement spot management?

What are the steps needed to apply it?

For spot management to bring good results, it must be applied correctly, with caution, following the steps that ensure its proper functioning. Here's what's needed for its implementation:

Select which processes will be measured

First, you must identify which processes will be monitored. The company must generate value for its customers. Identify what your consumer values, such as price, quality, agility in service, etc. That way you find out which processes to measure.

Define indicators

Go slow. Start by adopting one method at a time and testing its relevance and results in the company. See if the method is working well. Remember the main objective: inform employees and, from that, evaluate whether a fixed model, such as a whiteboard, or something that can be accessed from anywhere, such as software would be better.

Defining indicators and visual standards is critical to the success of spot management. Therefore, choose the one that best fits the company's reality. 

Prepare the leaders

Leaders need to be prepared for spot management. Therefore, if necessary, the company should carry out training with managers to help them fit into the new reality, learn to use the chosen tools, and pass the concept on to their employees.

Another function of managers is the collection of information with transparency and security.

Train the team

With the leaders prepared, it will be possible to train the teams. It is essential that employees have access to and know how to interpret information and data. It is up to leaders to train employees and explain to them the new methodology and the indicator used to disseminate the data.

Use technology

Technology is a great ally when it comes to spot management! Big Data, the Internet of Things, and Artificial Intelligence, for example, collect information and analyze large amounts of data quickly, being able to identify patterns that often go unnoticed in manual analysis.

Follow up constantly

Spot management does not only imply the dissemination of information but also monitoring aimed at identifying points of improvement, correcting errors, and making adjustments. Therefore, the results must be continuously monitored and analyzed.

Examples of spot management

There are several ways to apply sight management in practice. Some of the most used formats are Kanban, mural, Corporate TV, panels, Dashboard - management panels, graphs, schedules, Balanced scorecard - balanced performance indicators, and activity board, among others. The company must decide which format is best to adapt to the reality of the corporation and bring the desired results.

Conclusion

Do you understand how sight management works? Presenting information and data, with results for all to see, can make all the difference in corporate performance and earnings!

Has your company already implemented spot management? Tell us in the comments how it works where you work! And, if you've gone from the time when there was another management model, but today your company has adopted spot management, tell us what differences you noticed! Also, take the opportunity to share the content on your social networks.