New research report

Accelerate your Obeya impact

What 41 Obeya maturity scans reveal about what works, and what doesn't. With practical advice for leaders and practitioners.

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PDF · 26 pages · English · free, no sign-up needed
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Written by three Obeya Senseis

Feiko van der KolkFeiko van der KolkBrandend Water
Eric RozemeijerEric RozemeijerEraneos
Yoram MeijerYoram MeijerObeya Insights
Cover of the research report Accelerate your Obeya impact by State of Obeya

Obeyas are strong in engagement, rhythm and an attractive room. They struggle with purpose, customer focus and decision-making.

41
Obeya maturity assessments analysed
2.40 / 5
Average maturity across all Obeyas
2.89
Highest principle: a meeting rhythm
2.10
Lowest principle: a strong sense of purpose

How Obeyas score on the 11 Obeya principles

Average score per principle on a scale of 1 to 5 (n = 41). The three strengths and three challenges the report explores are highlighted.

  • The meetings have a rhythm in sync with the operational heartbeat
    2.89
  • People come together to respectfully see, learn and act
    2.68
  • The visuals provide a logical flow of information and conversation
    2.59
  • The Obeya is an attractive and available area, close to the work floor
    2.52
  • Data owners keep information understandable and up to date
    2.46
  • The Obeya reflects the flow of work from start to delivery
    2.32
  • Analytically driven evidence is used to make business decisions
    2.26
  • People are committed to continuous improvement
    2.22
  • Purpose is tied to the organisational strategy
    2.20
  • Strategy connects to execution, with visible customer orientation
    2.12
  • A strong sense of purpose is communicated
    2.10

Dashed line: overall average 2.40. Bars start at 1, the lowest point of the scale. Source: State of Obeya maturity scan, data frozen 2 October 2026. Read more about the 11 Obeya principles.

Three findings that challenge common assumptions

Urgency

Start because you must, not because you should

Obeyas that started with high urgency score 2.68 on average (n = 14), against 2.05 for low urgency (n = 5). An indication, not proof.

Physical or digital

Physical doesn't beat digital. Hybrid struggles most.

Digital 2.51 (n = 13), physical 2.40 (n = 21), hybrid 2.21 (n = 7). Outside the public sector, physical and digital score exactly the same.

Time

Expect a multi-year journey

Obeyas aged 7 to 12 months score lowest (2.13, n = 18). The four Obeyas running longer than two years score 3.37. Don't judge success in the first two quarters.

Three questions for your leadership team

Fixing an Obeya is rarely about more tools, metrics or visuals. The authors' advice: pause, and answer these together.

1
Why does this room exist?
Purpose
2
Who is the work ultimately for, and what does value look like to them?
Strategy and customer
3
How should the information on the wall change our behaviour and decisions?
Decision-making

What's inside the report

Part 1 · pages 4–6

Management summary

Nine recommendations for decision makers, in two minutes.

Part 2 · pages 7–14

Findings and practice

Why organisations start, where, physical or digital, age, urgency and sector.

Part 3 · pages 15–19

Strengths and challenges

What works, what doesn't, and the pattern behind the weakest scores.

Where does your Obeya stand?

The report is a snapshot of 41 Obeyas. Find out how yours compares, or help make the next edition bigger.

Scan your own Obeya with a certified Obeya Coach, on the same 11 principles.

Join the next measurement round and contribute your assessment to the next report.

Get in touch

Tell us whether you'd like a maturity scan of your Obeya, want to join the next measurement round, or both.

About the research

Written by three Obeya Senseis: Feiko van der Kolk (Brandend Water), Eric Rozemeijer (Eraneos) and Yoram Meijer (Obeya Insights). The Obeya maturity scan and its 11 principles belong to the Obeya Association. The first version was developed by Eric Rozemeijer and Dolf Reijnders of the Obeya Association; Feiko van der Kolk joined later.

Seven articles, one insight a week. The authors explore each finding further on the State of Obeya LinkedIn page.

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