Visual Management

Visual management is a strategy for displaying key information about the improvement projects’ goals, metrics, and progress in a way that enables teams to quickly understand the status of the project. This process supports transparency, shared understanding, and helps create a culture of accountability for the team. In healthcare, teams often use a tool called a visual management board (VMB) which serves as a central place for healthcare teams to huddle and discuss the project. It is common to see a variety of colors to signify missing and meeting targets, or arrows up or down indicating desired metric direction. A well-designed VMB conveys its message to users standing up to five feet away, in as little as five minutes. While visual management is often displayed on a physical board, your approach can also be virtual (e.g. Mural, Excel etc.).

Key Steps

• Identify key management categories (i.e. process and outcome measures) that are most meaningful to team and project goals.
• Design visual management displays that present data in a simple, easy-to-read format. Ideally large enough and readable from five feet away (if physical) in less than five minutes. Place the board in a place (physical or digital) where team members can engage regularly.
• Ensure there is a reliable data collection plan with training and assign clear responsibility for keeping visual management updated at a regular cadence.
• Meet regularly using the visual management as a guide. This approach will allow your team to review progress, discuss barriers, and guide real-time improvement efforts. Use insights from the board to make possible edits.  

Resources to Get Started

Read

Visual Management Board: Resources and Tools – This webpage is a part of UNC Health’s Carolina Quality initiative and outlines our approach for effective visual management. This page is only accessible to UNC Health employees. Visual Management Board – This article from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) provides an overview for the visual management board tool which is often used in healthcare spaces. Visual Management Board Component Kit – This webpage from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) provides the steps on developing a visual management board and includes examples.

Related QI Concepts

• Data Collection Planning – A clear data collection plan helps your team to routinely track data to include on visual management.
• Data Visualization & Analysis – Graphs and other data displays are key features on visual management. It is also important to consider how you visualize your data an easy-to-understand manner.
• Sustainment Planning – Visual management is a key component to enhance the sustainment of your project because it keeps your work visible and accessible to key stakeholders.
• Working with Leaders – Due to the leaders’ busy schedules, they often need information very quickly. Visual management could enhance your work with leaders and ability to keep them informed about your project in an efficient and effective manner.  
• Communication Plan – Some teammates with engagement with your project visual management so it is important to consider this approach within your communication plan