Small Improvements consistently done over time will have greater impact . The KAIZEN Way...

Many People might be wondering how it is possible. But Industrial Experts know that this is possible. YES, It is POSSIBLE.

OK, now you might be wondering how it was possible. Possibly you would try to see Case Studies of Kaizen principle. Let me pause your second thought here. As Rightly confirmed by Industrial Experts, Yes it is possible to do small improvements consistently, that would see bigger impact in the future.

Hope by now you would be excited to know how to create Bigger impacts by doing smaller improvements consistently. I am in for you. Let me walk through the KAIZEN principle for you, so that you can implement to achieve Continuous improvement.

KAI = CHANGE, ZEN = FOR THE BETTER

KAIZEN = CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

KAIZEN can be achieved through Self-Discipline.

Kaizen is a disciplinary approach that helps to achieve Continuous Improvement. Your Thought Process and Mindset plays a critical role in implementing Kaizen successfully.

As a Process Owner or as a member, you need to visualize your process clearly. You can use tools like Value Stream Mapping or Process Mapping to visualize your process. Once you are able to visualize your process, you will now be able to identify the Value-Added(VA) activities and Non-Value-Added(NVA) activities.

Now that you know what are all the Non-Value-Added (NVA) activities, you can generate solutions or any ideas to remove or reduce them from the process. You can do this in small steps. This would be your first breakthrough in process improvement.

You don't necessarily need to remove all of NVAs immediately. This will help you focus more on zooming on the sub processes. Work on smaller chunks and bring in more clarity on the process. This will ensure to document better AS-IS process and TO-BE processes.

While you read this article, pause for couple of minute and try to google on "Types of Wastes". Once you understand the 8 types of wastes, you will realize obviously that everything you do is a process.

Wastes exists in any process in any form, which is obvious. We just need to identify the type of waste and remove or reduce them from the process.

Kaizen requires everyone in the organization to be involved for the successful implementation of Kaizen. It empowers Employees, improves Efficiency in the process and many more to add.

Below is the KAIZEN PROCESS for your reference:

1. Identify the Problem
2. Analyze the Cause
3. Determine Solutions
4. Develop Implementation Plan
5. Implement the Plan and Confirm Results.

KAIZEN involves other improvement tools and methods like 5S, 8 types of wastes, 3M, 7 QC Tools, and few more.

GOOD is never good enough. KAIZEN is a never ending journey to Excellence.