Continuous Improvement vs. Radical Change

Question 1

Kaizen, radical change, innovation, and/or BPR?

Answer 1

No clear winner
All approaches properly applied can boast success stories.
Western style of management is based of a combo of innovation and control, and does not appear to pay the dividends that result from the highly participative processes of continuous small step improvement practised by the Japanese

Question 2

Why does change fail?

Answer 2

• Misunderstanding of what change is
• Lack of planning and preparation
• Change programme has no clear vision
• Goals are set, but too far in the future
• The quick fix option
• Poor communication
• Legacy of previous change
• Fear of failure
• Employee resistance
• Disregarding domino effect
• Ill prepared employees

Question 3

Giving change a chance

Answer 3

• Be clear what sort of change is required
• Plan change
• Preempt resistance
• Set short term goals
• Prepare employees
• Communicate
• Deal with the domino effect
• All hands on deck
• Avoid complacency
• Set sights for a specific objective
• Prepare for the unpredictable

Question 4

Kaizen and Standardised work

Answer 4

Standardised work

• Takt time (time to satisfy customer demand)
• Working sequence
• Standard in process stock

Work Kaizen

• Proceedures
• Layouts
• Allocation of work

Equipment Kaizen
-Modifications to plant etc.

Reallocation of staff to maintain optimal workload