How OBEYA ROOM Drives High-Stakes Decision Making

Stop managing in silos and scattered dashboards.

Start leading with a visual operating system: the Obeya room.

Obeya rooms aren’t just meeting spaces.
They’re where strategy turns into action.

What is an Obeya room?
It’s a space, physical or digital,
where teams align on goals, track progress, and solve problems.

Started at Toyota.
Now used in all industries.
It mixes visuals, habits, and teamwork.

Why set one up?
To manage:
→ Daily operations
→ Big projects
→ Strategy
→ Customer issues

But first, be clear about its purpose.
No purpose = no impact.

Choose the right space
→ Easy access
→ Good for stand-ups

If physical:
→ Clear walls.
→ Bright light.
→ Good layout.

If digital:
→ Use smart tools.
→ Easy to update.
→ Safe to use.

How to structure the room
Let people “read the room” left to right.

Common zones:
→ Purpose and goals
→ Value stream and flow
→ Key performance indicators
→ Planning and timelines
→ Problems and risks
→ Actions and follow-ups

Boards to use
→ Strategy – goals and focus
→ SPQDC – Safety, People, Quality, Delivery, Cost
→ Flow – full process map
→ Plans – timelines and resources
→ Problem-solving – root causes and fixes
→ Risk – issues and owners
→ Action – tasks and blockers

Design that works
Use:
→ Red/green
→ Sliders and dials
→ Quick updates

No fluff.
Just fast info.

Make information flow
Goals → Gaps → Solutions → Plans

Boards should connect.
Stick to a routine:
→ Daily huddles
→ Weekly reviews
→ Monthly planning

Why it helps
→ One clear view
→ Less confusion
→ Faster action

Avoid these mistakes:
→ No team input
→ Overdesigned boards
→ Too much data
→ Not used in real work
→ No updates or support

Best practices
→ Start simple
→ Focus on key metrics
→ Use steady routines
→ Involve leaders
→ Keep improving