Prerequisites for a Successful Implementation of Visual Communication in a Production Environment : -A Case Study at a global industrial company in Sweden

Abstract: Visualization is a lean tool and in order to strive to become a lean company applying the lean philosophy in all these parts of the organization is necessary. A company that does not understand the philosophy and culture behind lean production, even though applying lean tools, is not a lean business and has a long way to production excellence.   Implementing and becoming a visual organization means change which includes the organizational culture, collective attitude and beliefs. The difference between success and failure is about the ability to provide knowledge, information and to create prerequisites for participation and engagement at all levels in the organization with a clear and direct leadership.   In many companies communication is lacking sufficient and official channels, and the inadequacy in the information systems are usually due to functional thinking and strict boarders at all levels in an organization. New ways of communication are the result of process orientation, demanding new prerequisites for information systems which companies needs to develop and thus become more visual. Knowledge and information needs to become more accessible and objective in order for decision to be taken based on facts not be the result of interpretations of reality. Visualization enables people to see and develop an objective and common reality. It further contributes to the organizations ability for improvement and aligns the employees to fulfill the overall business objectives and strategies.   The Company in this case that wants to be anonymous will further be called Company X. Company X objective is to develop a visual communication system to increase the information sharing and flow throughout the organization. However, this is not an easy task and many companies lack sufficient prerequisites to carry out a successful implementation. The research result at Company X has in this study shown weaknesses in core areas as in clear and direct leadership, vision and strategy development and communication as well as a low level of knowledge transformation at all levels in the organization in order to create engagement for the change process which an implemetion of this kind is.