Empowerment and the tangible
The irony of the Andon cord is that its overarching purpose is to keep the production line moving. As in, How do we manage this process to keep from ever HAVING to pull the Andon?
The idea behind the Andon cord is central to Toyota, Opel and other Deming-esque management models. It’s the cord you’ll find throughout the factory and at each work station, ready to be pulled if the production process must be immediately stopped.
Who may pull the Andon cord? Anyone may, even the lowest-ranking member of the team.
That’s part of the beauty of the system. Anyone is empowered to pull the cord.
The real beauty of the Andon cord, however, is that it’s so very there — whether it’s used or not. By its physical, tangible presence, everyone is constantly reminded that they matter. The Andon cord is a clear and constant tangible symbol that they are part of.
Which, Toyota’s recent troubles notwithstanding, seems to work really well.
