What is the best Obeya Method?

There is no single “best” way to run an Obeya, as its effectiveness depends on how well it aligns with your organization’s needs. However, by following the 11 principles and leveraging the expertise of Obeya Builders and Obeya Hosts, you can ensure your Obeya evolves in the right direction.

Over the years, certain approaches have proven to be particularly effective in structuring an Obeya. One of the most widely used frameworks is the Six Panel Approach, designed to create a balanced, high-performing Obeya space.

 

Download the Obeya Starter Kit

The Obeya Starter Kit is a comprehensive set of tools designed to quickly establish a structured, collaborative Obeya space, fostering clarity, alignment, and effective decision-making.

  • Uses the “Six Panel Approach” to align with international quality standards from the Obeya Association.

  • Complements the free downloadable Obeya Fundamentals module for an enhanced experience.

  • Accelerates the journey toward a fully functional Obeya room.

  • Includes 6 Panels, 4 Meeting frameworks, 4 Reference Cards, and 3 downloadable Artifacts to print and display in your Obeya for enhanced structure and collaboration.

Obeya Starter Kit

The Six Panels approach

The Six Panel Approach is a structured framework, much like PDCA, that organizes your Obeya into six essential areas, each serving a specific purpose:

1 VISION

Defines long-term direction and key objectives. Answers strategic questions like:

  • Where do we want to be in 5 years?
  • What competitive challenges do we need to address?

2 CUSTOMER

A dedicated space for customer-related insights, including:

  • Customer journeys
  • Complaint trends, NPS data
  • Market insights for sustainable decision-making

3 PRODUCT

Focuses on product development and innovation, ensuring alignment with customer needs. It is not about production efficiency but rather the evolution of products based on feedback and market trend

4 PLAN

Maps daily work against strategic objectives, ensuring that:

  • Teams recognize their contribution to company goals.
  • Work is visually linked to its strategic importance.

5 PERFORMANCE

Provides a clear, visual representation of key performance indicators (KPIs):

  • Quality metrics
  • Efficiency statistics
  • Employee engagement and satisfaction

6 IMPROVEMENT

A space dedicated to continuous improvement, typically structured around:

  • PDCA cycles
  • Kata routines and experiments
  • Small, incremental changes that drive sustainable progress

Download the free Obeya Fundamentals training module