Visual controls vs. Computerized data collection
Visual controls are one of the most effective tools of lean managment. They are simple to use and when properly designed and used will provide real time information About the process.
Computerized data collection on other hand may not necessarily be real time. Someone has to enter the data and then it has to be processed to provide necessary information. By the time we realize any issues it may be too late to take any action. Also this could be capital intensive, cost of software, Computers etc.Visual controls usually will not require any capital investment.
This does not mean that visual controls is the only way to go. Both tools have it’s specific use in different aspects of the management.
Visual controls are most effective at operational level where we have to manage process by hour to hour basis or by pitch. Timeliness of the information is crucial to mitigate flow interupters.
Computerized data is very useful at strategic level. Use of dashboards generated from the collected data can provide information necessary for long term planing.
