Model for Devising Visual Management Systems on Construction Sites

Abstract

Visual management (VM) is a strategy for information management that is widely used in the manufacturing industry, which is strongly related to increasing process transparency, one of the core principles of the lean production philosophy. However, the use of VM on construction sites is still relatively limited, and there is scant literature on the implementation of this principle in construction projects. This article proposes a model for devising visual management systems, understood as sets of visual practices that should be integrated in managerial processes. It is based on a set of benchmarking studies and two empirical studies carried out at different construction firms. As secondary contributions, this investigation proposes a set of guidelines for designing and implementing visual management systems and a taxonomy of VM practices according to the degree of integration in managerial processes. Some concepts proposed in other fields of knowledge, such as visual thinking, visual literacy, collaboration rituals, and boundary objects, were considered in the development of the model.