Using the Obeya for Visual Project Coordination
Powerful simple tools for improving team collaboration and communication

Click here for Tricia Sutton's bio

Toyota successfully uses Obeya rooms (Obeya means 'big room') with great success to manage projects, improve communications and foster collaboration across the different team members and functions involved in projects. Obeyas are similar to war rooms and project rooms sometimes used by North American companies for new product development. However Obeya rooms have a specific flow of information and guidelines for use. The Obeya serves to make communication and visibility of key project information more effective across all functions involved in the work.

This workshop will review key principles of setting up and using an Obeya room in a business environment. You will be able to interact with a prototype Obeya demonstration for an example project as well as work together to evaluate how to use Obeyas in your organization. Application of the Obeya concepts in dedicated, mobile, and virtual workspaces will be discussed.

Examples and cases will emphasize new product development projects, where Obeyas can have high impact, though the principles may be applied to different types of projects throughout a lean enterprise.

Specific Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to ...

• Understand how visual project coordination differs from standard management practices yet is consistent with project management best practices.
• Apply key principles of visual coordination to help flow information within a project team.
• Use hands-on practice with a demonstration Obeya to evaluate your specific needs and create an action plan for using the Obeya in your organization.