Keeping the workplace clean is good
But making it obvious is better.
The picture is a shadow board of a kitchen knife rack. The shadows show where every knife should go. This is a good thing, the chef knows exactly where to look for a knife when he wants it. It removes confusion and speeds up the work. There is no more fumbling around in draws looking for knives and cutting your fingers.
But it is better than that…
This picture comes from Alcatraz. Not only could the chefs (prisoners) find the knives when they wanted them, but the wardens could as well. The wardens prefered the knives stayed in the kitchen and out of the cells.
Rule 14: make it obvious
It is easy to clean an office by filing all your work in a drawer (or on a computer) where nobody can see it.
It is far better to have a chart — writ large on a wall — that visualises the data and tells you exactly:
- How much work you have
- How much you expect to clear today (bonus points)
- What is stopping you from clearing it (truly advanced users)
If the work is obvious, it is easy to see when you have a problem.
On that note… I’d love to know where all those knives went.
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Image by nps.gov
James,
Exactly why I’m still a fan of whiteboards, charts and even TVs that you can put on the wall to show outcomes, progress, problems, demand etc etc. Doing so seems to make it more real.
Adrian
Doesn’t it? We are very good at forgetting what we can no longer see