Tools for visual management in project teams

Developed by Camilla Engstrøm Jensen

When a project has to be carried out, a project team is often put together with a high diversity of competences. This can result in complications on how to communicate in the team and how to prioritize (Kilde: How to DO projects). Therefore, it is crucial to agree on a common way of doing this. SCRUM meetings including Visual Management is often used to comprehend these obstacles, whether the team is formed to carry out a project or to coordinate, plan and manage a program. SCRUM meetings are brief meetings where the team listens to one another and can offer help when needed. Also every team member will know which tasks are going to be done when, by who etc. This gives every team member an overview of the project, the progress and the issues. Visual Management creates a basic platform for communicating tasks, progress, critical path and task owners in a project team. Some tools are required to do so.

The tools

There are a lot of different tools for Visual Management, but some are more relevant for project teams than others. These are: - Kanban boards - A3 - Gantt Charts - Overview on resources All of which creates an overview of the project for all team members.

A3

A3 is a tool which can be used in a lot of different ways. The main purpose is to do problem solving in one piece of paper (of A3 size) In project management it is often used to do a project status report or an implementation report. These can include a description of the current situation, which goals to achieve, how to do it and when (including a Gantt Chart) and the task owners. It can also be used to define project priorities when determinating the critical path of tasks. It allows for all team members to give inputs to the project planning and execution in regards to their own competences.

Kanban board

A Kanban board enables the team members to have an overview on tasks to do, which are in progress and which are done. This creates an overview on the workflow and thereby, effectiveness throughout the project can be determined. Kanban boards also make it possible to distribute tasks amongst the team members, so every team member knows who is doing what and how it goes. This makes it possible to offer help to the team member, if needed.