What purpose does an andon board serve in a manufacturing environment?

An andon board serves a critical function in a manufacturing environment by providing real-time visual feedback regarding the status of production processes. Its primary purpose is to alert team members to status changes that need immediate attention, such as equipment malfunctions, production delays, or quality issues. By displaying this information prominently, an andon board helps ensure that any problems are quickly identified and addressed, facilitating quicker response times and minimizing downtime.

The use of an andon board aligns with principles of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement, where quick responses to issues are essential for maintaining efficiency and quality in production operations. This proactive approach helps teams coordinate their efforts for troubleshooting and ensures that everyone is aware of the current state of the production line.

In contrast, displaying financial performance metrics, showing production schedules, or recording employee attendance does not capture the immediate operational feedback necessary to maintain workflow and quality standards; therefore, these options do not reflect the primary purpose of an andon board.