Kaizen Flashcards
Define Kaizen
Kaizen is continually making small incremental steps in the improvement of quality, design and waste reduction to increase efficiency.
- Continuous Improvement
Benefits of Kaizen
- improved labour relations
- improved quality
- increased productivity
- improved motivation
- increased competitiveness
- reduction in waste
- less large-scale investment.
What is the use of Kaizen ?
The main working element of kaizen is the use of kaizen groups. These are groups of workers who have a common stake in part of the production process. These groups will meet regularly to discuss problems and to suggest improvements. Often improvements can be made at nil or minimal cost. This
means that over time the whole cost base of the business can be reduced, whilst indicators of quality and levels of production increase. All this is achieved with minimal capital investment.
For Kaizen workers must ?
Be trained to have the ability to understand their roles and complete their task efficiently
For Kaizen, why must management have a clear understanding of the production processes ?
So that they can organise, control and plan to enable workers to meet the needs and quality requirements of the
‘customers’ within the organisation
For Kaizen, why do you need effective communication systems ?
Workers must be able to communicate suggestions to superiors and other relevant employees. This can be done through kaizen groups, but other
methods of communication must also be available
