Kaizen - Continuous Improvement Process
Kaizen is a daily activity whose purpose goes beyond simple productivity improvement. It is also a process that, when done correctly, humanizes the workplace, eliminates overly hard work (both mental and physical) “muri“, and teaches people how to perform experiments on their work using the scientific method and how to learn to spot and eliminate waste in business processes.
To be most effective Kaizen must operate with three principles in place:
- consider the process and the results (not results-only);
- systemic thinking of the whole process and not just that immediately in view (i.e. big picture, not solely the narrow view); and
- a learning, non-judgmental, non-blaming (because blaming is wasteful) approach and intent.
People at all levels of an organization participate in kaizen, from the CEO down, as well as external stakeholders when applicable. The format for kaizen can be individual, suggestion system, small group, or large group.