KAIZEN
IMPLEMENTATION
WHAT IS KAIZEN?
• Kaizen is an approach to creating continuous improvement based on the idea that small,
ongoing positive changes can reap significant improvements. It is based on cooperation
and commitment and stands in contrast to approaches that use radical or top-down
changes to achieve transformation. Kaizen is a compound of two Japanese words that
together translate as "good change" or "improvement." Kaizen aims for improvements
in productivity, effectiveness, safety, and waste reduction, and those who follow the
approach often find a whole lot more in return: Less waste – inventory is used more
efficiently as are employee skills. People are more satisfied – they have a direct impact on
the way things are done.
PRINCIPLES OF KAIZEN
• Let go of assumptions.
• Be proactive about solving problems.
• Don't accept the status quo.
• Let go of perfectionism and take an attitude of iterative, adaptive change.
• Look for solutions as you find mistakes.
• Create an environment in which everyone feels empowered to contribute.
• Don't accept the obvious issue; instead, ask "why" five times to get to the root cause.
• Cull information and opinions from multiple people.
• Use creativity to find low-cost, small improvements.
• Never stop improving.
Kaizen Cycle for continuous Improvement
Kaizen can be implemented in a seven-step
cycle to create an environment based on
continuous improvement.
1. Get Employees Involved
2. Gather a list of problems
3. Encourage Solutions then choose an
idea.
4. Test the Solution.
5. Regularly measure and analyze the
results.
6. If Successful, adopt the Solutions.
7. Repeat on an ongoing Basis.