Empowers Lean teams to monitor safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people metrics—all in one view with the best digital SQCDP board software. Optimise performance, enhance productivity, and improve team collaboration through visual management techniques tailored for your business needs.
SQCDP otherwis called as SQDCP is a lean visual management board is part of daily shop floor management which easily visualises how teams perform on key indicators. SQDCP stands for safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people. The board helps the team collaborate, analyse and initiate continuous improvement activities.
The purpose of the SQDCP visual management board is to monitor and analyse how teams or departments are performing in key areas, to be more specific in areas such as safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people.
While SQCDP boards are widely adopted as a Lean visual management standard, many organisations adapt the structure to match their specific performance goals. These adaptations maintain the core principles of SQCDP while adding focus areas like environment, inventory, or customer-specific metrics.
Common SQCDP variations and their focus areas
Part of the LDMS is the Lean Daily Management Boards, also known as visual management boards, have become an inevitable part of an organisation's lean journey. The purpose of lean daily management boards is to ensure that everything is done at the right time in the most efficient way. Why do you need lean daily visual management boards? Daily stand-up meetings are conducted in front of these daily management boards. It is important to make relevant information accessible and available to everyone. When your co-workers are given an overview of what they are doing, how it contributes to the organisational growth and ways to improve, it creates an environment of continuous improvement, pushing employees to give their best.
Lean daily management boards give information at a glance. Any deviation in actual vs planned can be identified, discussed and resolved. For example, imagine that Shift A produced 10% fewer products on day one. On day two, during the huddle time, workers will discuss this issue and identify the reason that is "10% fewer products were produced in shift A due to the unavailability of certain components". As they have identified the root cause, they bring forth the solution 'to restock necessary components as required. The next day again, the discussion takes place, the previous day's result is analysed, and initiatives to ensure maximum productivity are taken.
Lean daily visual management boards - Three elements to consider
All three elements help the teams understand what is actually happening on the shop floor or the work area. By making things transparent, problems can be identified, addressed and solved quickly.
SQDCP Boards visually represent key performance indicators related to productivity, such as output, efficiency, and utilisation. By displaying real-time data and metrics, SQDCP boards enable teams to track their productivity and performance and identify any potential bottlenecks or areas of improvement. The visual nature of the boards enhances transparency and accountability, as team members can quickly see how their productivity measures up to the set targets. This visibility fosters a sense of ownership and encourages continuous improvement efforts. By regularly reviewing the data on the SQDCP (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, People) boards, teams can analyse trends, identify root causes of productivity issues, and implement targeted actions to improve productivity and overall process efficiency.
SQDCP boards are powerful tools for promoting continuous improvement. By regularly updating the data on the SQDCP boards and through regular reviews, teams can track their current progress, identify trends, and spot deviations from desired performance. This visual management approach fosters a culture of continuous improvement, as teams are encouraged to analyse the data, perform Root Cause Analysis (RCA), and implement action plans. The transparency and visibility of the boards facilitate communication and collaboration, allowing teams to share insights, ideas, and best practices. As a result, SQDCP boards become a catalyst for continuous improvement efforts, driving teams towards enhanced Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost savings, and People engagement.
Read More on Driving Continuous Improvement with SQDCP Boards
SQDCP boards can be easily customised to meet the specific needs of different departments or processes. Apart from the core metrics of Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and People (SQDCP) boards, additional metrics such as SQDIP (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Inventory, People) or SQDCPM (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, People, Morale) can be incorporated based on the requirements. By tailoring the metrics displayed on the boards, organisations can align them with the unique goals and priorities of each department or process.
This customisation ensures that the boards reflect the specific performance indicators that are most relevant and impactful. Additionally, the boards' layout, design, and colour-coding can also be adjusted to suit the preferences and visual management needs of different teams. This flexibility allows SQDCP boards to support continuous improvement efforts across various departments and processes effectively.
SQDCP boards assist with waste reduction and process management by visually representing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and fostering continuous improvement.
SQDCP boards encourage employee engagement and involvement by creating a transparent and inclusive environment. By visualising key metrics and performance indicators, SQDCP boards provide employees with a clear understanding of organisational goals and performance expectations. This transparency fosters a sense of ownership and accountability among employees, as they can see how their work contributes to the organisation's overall success. SQDCP boards also encourage active participation and involvement by providing a platform for employees to share ideas, insights, and suggestions for improvement. This collaborative approach empowers employees, making them feel valued and recognised for their contributions, and ultimately leads to higher engagement levels and a more motivated workforce.
SQDCP is a visual management system that aligns with lean manufacturing principles, such as visual control and communication. SQDCP boards enable real-time monitoring of production processes, identifying bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and waste. This visibility allows teams to take immediate action, make data-driven decisions, and implement continuous improvements. By promoting transparency, collaboration, and problem-solving, SQDCP boards help drive lean initiatives, streamline operations, reduce waste, and enhance overall efficiency in the manufacturing process.
SQDCP boards enable cross-functional teams to identify cost-saving opportunities, streamline processes, reduce waste, and optimise resource allocation. SQDCP boards allow teams to monitor and analyse cost-related data in real-time, identify waste, inefficiency, or excessive spending areas, and take appropriate actions to address them. By promoting transparency, collaboration, and problem-solving, SQDCP boards facilitate cost-conscious decision-making, allowing organisations to optimise processes and improve resource utilisation. This focus on cost control and reduction ultimately leads to improved financial performance and increased profitability.
Organisations can effectively track and manage their delivery operations by incorporating Key Performance metrics on the board. Safety checks the well-being of employees and the protection of goods during transportation. Quality ensures that products meet customer expectations and minimise the risk of defects or delays. Delivery focuses on timely and efficient transportation, including on-time delivery, reducing lead times, and optimising logistics. Cost emphasises cost control and efficiency in the delivery process, ensuring that resources are utilised effectively. People highlight the importance of a skilled workforce, effective communication, and collaboration to optimise delivery operations. These elements provide a comprehensive framework for organisations to streamline and improve their delivery operations.
Are you looking to transforms the traditional whiteboard into a smart visual command Centre? Then Data Point Balanced Scorecard for visual management is your best choice. Data Point equips team leaders with the ability to track progress, identify risks, and trigger actions instantly, all from a single screen. No toggling, no delay, just clear performance insight and accountability at a glance.
Key Features of the Data Point SQCDP Board software:
This board is not just a dashboard- it’s a performance nerve centre that helps teams take faster, better-informed decisions.
The 1-3-10 second rule, which is used in lean manufacturing and can be applied to SQDCP boards as well.
The 1-3-10 second rule states that when an abnormality occurs in a process, the person responsible for that process should notice and respond to it within a specific timeframe. Here's a breakdown of this rule:
SQDCP boards can greatly assist in the daily huddle process by providing a visual representation of Key Performance Metrics (KPI) and goals. These boards serve as a central hub where team members can gather and quickly assess the status of various operational aspects. The SQDCP boards facilitate focused discussions during the huddle by displaying safety incidents, quality metrics, delivery targets, cost data, and people-related information. This visual aid helps team members identify areas of concern, track progress, and collaborate on problem-solving strategies concisely and efficiently. The boards promote transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement, enabling teams to align their efforts, share knowledge, and make data-driven decisions to drive positive outcomes.
SQDCP boards are visual management tools used to identify and address bottlenecks in a process. These boards provide a concise overview of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) related to safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people. By displaying real-time data and metrics, SQDCP boards enable teams to identify bottlenecks and improvement areas in the process quickly. The visual nature of the boards enhances communication and collaboration among team members, facilitating problem-solving and decision-making. With this clear visibility, the team can promptly address bottlenecks, optimise the process, and improve overall performance.
At PCI Pharma Services’ Bridgend site, traditional paper-based methods were holding back their Lean Daily Management Meetings. Tracking core KPIs across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and People (SQDCP) using spreadsheets made it difficult to respond quickly or make confident, data-driven decisions.
To eliminate inefficiencies and elevate continuous improvement, PCI Bridgend adopted a Digital SQDCP Software solution—a real-time visual board powered by Data Point.
Challenges at PCI Pharma before implementing SQCDP software
The team faced challenges with manual SQDCP tracking—data was scattered, updates were delayed, and daily performance reviews lacked clarity. This made it difficult to drive timely decisions and engage teams effectively.
What Data Point SQCDP boards provided- streamlined their Lean Daily Management process, by offering a centralised, interactive view of operational performance.
The result
Faster identification and resolution of issues
By replacing spreadsheets with a structured, real-time visual system, PCI Pharma moved from reactive problem-solving to proactive improvement.
Explore the full case study here- Streamlining Continuous Improvement Efforts with Data Point SQCDP
A global car manufacturer based in the UK was facing rising costs, safety issues, frequent machine downtime, and falling customer satisfaction. These operational inefficiencies were eroding their performance and profits.
By implementing Data Point’s Balanced Scorecard—with integrated SQDCP boards—they addressed these pain points through:
The result? A 40% drop in safety incidents, enhanced cross-functional communication, and improved customer satisfaction.
Read the full story: Digital SQDCP Board for Automobile Manufacturing
Digital daily management boards (Daily huddle boards)
The aspect of continuous improvement prevails throughout lean management. Various metrics such as safety, quality, cost, people, lean, production, and delivery are being analysed daily and are compared to the actual vs goal. These Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) can differ for organisations, and it is highly important that they are tracked and monitored regularly. Making decisions or initiating action plans based on outdated data is a big no! Digital daily management boards never confront the team with outdated data. Morning huddle meeting becomes more precise and transparent as no data is left behind. Every effort is considered, analysed and appreciated. Benefits of digital daily visual management boards include, but are not limited to:
SQCDP represents a refined form of visual management, turning basic performance displays into structured daily communication tools. Unlike general visual boards, it provides a standardised format that tracks key operational metrics — Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, and People — in one place. It enables frontline teams and supervisors to spot deviations, take ownership, and drive action all in real time.
This makes SQCDP not just a board, but a daily accountability tool that supports transparency, team engagement, and continuous improvement — the core principles of visual management.
Visual management boards, also known as electronic or virtual visual management boards, are the heart of any organisation that is progressive. The daily work management board provides real-time information regarding what is happening in and around the organisation, enabling teams to collaborate and communicate in real-time. Let us now have a look at why organisations need lean six sigma visual management boards, their advantages and various types of daily management boards.
Online lean manufacturing visual management boards act as a tool for proper communication in a lean environment. These boards give an overview of all the information, and teams can see real-time updates and retrieve updated information every single time. Visual project tracking boards give clear feedback to the team on how they are progressing, that is their goal vs actual. How to start a visual management board? Well, organisations have now shifted from traditional/physical to digital visual management boards to enhance the overall daily management process. Irrespective of industries, digital visual management boards are used in manufacturing, healthcare, production, construction, energy, utilities, transportation, pharmaceuticals, oil & gas, food & beverages, commerce, education and all other industries.
Examples of lean visual management or visual control boards include Continuous Improvement Boards, 5S Boards, Visual Performance Boards, SQDIP Boards, Kanban Boards etc. Now let us have a look at these visual management board examples/ideas in detail.
Visual management boards are essential to driving continuous improvement within the organisation. These boards keep track of the continuous improvement efforts and keep the team updated regarding the progress. The dashboards always provide the team with updated information.
Digital lean 5S visual management boards help the team implement and sustain the 5S process within the organisation. These digital boards keep track of the standards and ensures on a daily basis that the set standards are being followed and drive continuous improvement. The 5S visual management shows the processes to be carried out in a visual way, using which organisations can track and analyse their progress.
Digital visual performance boards provide a quick and comprehensive view of the overall performance. Be it the employees or the processes; users can track and monitor progress by keeping an eye on the associated performance KPIs.
Kanban boards act as the foundation for continuous improvement in an organisation. The visual management Kanban board helps the team identify and address tasks based on their importance. Teams can address crucial issues as soon as it is found. Using a visual Kanban board, each team can update the status of their own tasks and be accountable for their progress. Kanban visual management production scheduling boards streamline and optimise the production plan making the job flow more transparent and efficient.
Toyota first introduced ‘obeya rooms’, which means a “large room”. The idea was to bring together the leaders from different departments to address ground-level reality and help them focus more on the big picture goals. Obeya rooms had visually engaging charts and graphs which depicted their progress. It also promotes problem-solving among the teams, builds communication and encourages team building. Digital Obeya Boards have all the above-mentioned attributes; in addition, information in digital boards is not prone to error, easily accessible and retrievable.
SQDIP boards provide relevant information related to metrics such as safety, quality, delivery, inventory and productivity. The SQDIP board facilitates continuous improvement by providing accurate and reliable information.
Kaizen board is a visual management tool that helps organisations initiate, drive and monitor continuous improvement efforts. The process of continuous improvement begins with the identification of problems and later on initiating action plans to drive continuous improvement.
SQDCP boards, which stands for safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people, can be easily integrated with lean management tools such as Kanban or 5S to enhance operational efficiency. Kanban, a visual scheduling system, can be used with SQDCP boards to manage the flow of work, ensuring that tasks are completed on time and contributing to the "delivery" aspect of SQDCP. Additionally, the 5S methodology, which focuses on workplace organisation and standardisation, can create an organised and visually appealing environment around the SQDCP boards, facilitating easy access to information and improving overall efficiency. SQDCP can also be integrated with a Balanced Scorecard which allows for a comprehensive approach to lean management, addressing safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people in a synchronised manner.
The boards typically consist of clearly defined sections or columns dedicated to each metric, with relevant information and data displayed in an easily understandable format. SQDCP boards facilitate real-time monitoring of performance metrics by visually representing key indicators. Team members and managers can update the boards as changes occur, allowing immediate visibility into performance trends and deviations from targets. This real-time monitoring facilitates prompt identification of issues or opportunities, enabling timely corrective actions. The transparency and accessibility of SQDCP boards foster a culture of continuous improvement and empower teams to track and manage performance metrics efficiently and actively.
SQDCP boards play a crucial role in aligning team goals and objectives by providing a centralised platform for clear communication and visualisation of targets. By prominently displaying these metrics, team members can quickly see how their individual efforts contribute to the overall team and organisational goals. The boards are a focal point for discussions, enabling team members to discuss progress, challenges, and opportunities regularly. This promotes transparency, collaboration, and accountability within the team, fostering a collective understanding of the goals and objectives that must be achieved. Through regular updates and discussions around the SQDCP boards, teams can align their efforts, identify areas for improvement, and work together to meet or exceed their shared goals and objectives.
While implementing SQDCP boards, it is important to avoid certain mistakes. One common pitfall is creating too complex or cluttered boards, making it difficult to understand and interpret the information. Keeping the SQDCP boards simple and focused on the key metrics is essential to ensure clarity and ease of use. Another mistake is treating the boards as a one-time implementation rather than an ongoing process. Regular updates and maintenance of the boards are crucial to keep them relevant and reflective of current performance. Additionally, it is important to ensure that the boards are accessible to all relevant team members and that there is a clear communication plan to explain their purpose and how they should be used. Finally, there needs to be more follow-up and action on the information displayed on the boards to maximise effectiveness.
By visualising key metrics and performance indicators related to these areas on a shared board, different departments and teams can gain a holistic view of the organisation's overall performance and identify areas of improvement. This transparency encourages collaboration and communication between various functions, enabling them to work together to address challenges, share insights, and propose innovative solutions. SQDCP boards create a common language and framework for problem-solving, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement throughout the organisation.
SQDCP boards play a crucial role in identifying and resolving organisational safety issues. The visual representation of safety-related data, such as incident rates, near misses, or safety compliance measures, allows teams to identify any concerning trends or areas of weakness quickly. This early identification enables timely intervention and the implementation of proactive measures to prevent accidents or injuries. Moreover, the collaborative nature of the SQDCP board encourages cross-functional discussions and problem-solving, facilitating the sharing of best practices, lessons learned, and the development of effective safety strategies. SQDCP boards enhance safety awareness, promote accountability, and support resolving safety issues by fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.
SQDCP encourages quality control measures by incorporating quality as a key element on the board. By visualising key quality metrics and performance indicators, organisations can monitor and assess the quality of their products or services in real time. This transparency enables teams to promptly identify deviations or issues, facilitating early intervention and corrective actions. SQDCP boards also promote cross-functional collaboration, allowing teams to share insights, best practices, and lessons learned to enhance quality control. By providing a visual management system, SQDCP fosters a culture of continuous improvement and empowers employees to take ownership of quality control measures. SQDCP supports organisations in ensuring consistent and high-quality outputs by facilitating effective monitoring, problem-solving, and collaboration.
SQDCP boards support and improve gemba walks in several ways. Gemba walks, which involve observing processes at the "actual workplace", can be enhanced by having SQDCP boards. These boards visually represent key performance indicators, allowing gemba walkers to quickly grasp the current state of safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people metrics. This information enables them to ask targeted questions, identify deviations from the desired state, and engage in meaningful discussions with employees on the shop floor.
SQDCP boards help in the documentation of gemba walk findings. Leaders or project coordinators can directly update observations, improvement opportunities, and action items on the boards, making the information easily accessible and visible to others. This promotes accountability and follow-up on identified issues.
SQDCP boards also facilitate the tracking of progress and continuous improvement resulting from Gemba walks. By regularly updating the boards with improvement initiatives and their outcomes, organisations can monitor the impact of Gemba walks and ensure sustained progress over time.