Obeya

Obeya, meaning "large room" in Japanese, is a visual management tool and methodology developed by Toyota and widely adopted in lean manufacturing and other industries. It's a dedicated physical space, often a room, where visual displays, charts, and data are used to communicate progress, problems, and decisions related to specific projects or operational goals. The core principle of Obeya is to create a shared understanding and a central point of focus for a team or organization.

The Obeya room typically houses information such as production targets, performance metrics, quality data, project timelines, and problem-solving boards. These visual aids are designed to be easily accessible and understandable by everyone involved, from top management to front-line workers. The goal is to foster transparency, encourage quick decision-making, and facilitate rapid problem resolution by making all relevant information visible and actionable in one place.

Key elements of an Obeya system include the visual displays themselves, a dedicated physical space, and a structured process for using the room. Regular meetings, often daily or weekly, are held in the Obeya room to review the displayed information, discuss performance, identify deviations from targets, and collectively determine corrective actions. This collaborative approach aims to break down silos, improve communication, and accelerate the pace of improvement. Obeya is not just about the room; it's about the discipline and collaborative behavior it enables.