Continous Improvement - Kaizen -

Question 1

What is the rationale for continuous improvement

Answer 1

Quality is a moving target

Question 2

Define continuous improvement

Answer 2

The permanent objective of always trying to do it better.

Question 3

What are the essential ideas on people involvement and Teamwork in the Taylorist Model?

Answer 3

1 Constant Change

2 Everyone participates in the improvement

Question 4

What is the trilogy the taylorist model is based on?

Answer 4

Someone think and decide
Others execute
While others control
-> no dialogue between them

Question 5

What differs the continuous improvement from the taylorist model?

Answer 5

Everyone is involved to think along with working.

A Network of Teams instead of a command hierarchy

Question 6

What does Kaizen mean?

Answer 6

KAI = Change
ZEN = Good

Question 7

Name two advantages of Kaizen distuingishing it from technological innovation:

Answer 7

Multiple low costs small projects

Great cumulated impact on productivity and quality

Question 8

What are the seven key concepts of KAIZEN?

Answer 8

Quality is the first priority
Listen to the market
The next process is the client (Ensure quality)
Prevent instead of correct
Avoid Re-occurance
Decide based on facts
PDCA improvement cycle.

Question 9

What are the four stages of the PDCA cycle?

Answer 9

Plan: Plan improvement actions
Do: Execute the actions as planned
Check: Asses the obtained results
Act: Correct and replan

Question 10

Whats the objective of the first and second stage of the PDCA cycle?

Answer 10

1st: eliminate non-conformaties-> zero defects
2nd: improvement projects will focus on fitness for use (cost and lead times)

Question 11

What’s the hard part about Kaizen? What does Kaizen require?

Answer 11

Dealing with practical difficulties, that arise when trying to change an organization.

Requires persistence and resilience, as well as effective leadership.