What is an Ohno circle used for in process improvement?

An Ohno circle is specifically used for observing and analyzing processes in order to identify waste and areas for improvement. It is a part of the Lean manufacturing philosophy and was developed by Taiichi Ohno, a key figure in the Toyota Production System. By marking a circle on the floor, typically in a production area, practitioners stand still within that circle to observe operations without interacting with the processes. This allows them to gain insights into the flow of work, bottlenecks, and inefficiencies that are not always apparent when actively engaged in the process.

The emphasis is on understanding both the workflow and the workforce, leading to a clearer view of how processes can be streamlined. Through this observational method, teams can gather the necessary data and insights that drive continuous improvement efforts. The other options, while they pertain to different aspects of production and management, do not capture the primary purpose of the Ohno circle in the context of process improvement.