ANDON アンドン IN LEAN
Loosely translated from Japanese, the Andon is a torch or light signal. In Lean management and Lean manufacturing we use it for efficient and effective communication. In some cases it has three colors (red, yellow and green) and in some cases only one. The Tokyo based barber in the video uses Andon to signal waiting time. IKEA self checkouts use it to signal the following:
Which self checkouts are vacant?
Which self checkouts are occupied?
Which self checkouts are experiencing problems and need care?
Within manufacturing context, andon is typically utilized to quickly signal where problems have arisen so that a supervisor can quickly take action. It is also sometimes used to steer the traffic of incoming WIP, with green indicating a free workstation that can process the WIP.
Maz
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