Kaizen is used throughout the manufacturing industry to improve production and workflow. Not sure what kaizen is? Here's a breakdown of how it works.

1. L E A N M A N U F A C T U R I N G
W h a t i s K a i z e n ?
改 善
M O N A R C H M E T A L . C O M

2. In Japanese, kaizen means 'change for good.'

3. In Japanese, kaizen means 'change for good.'
改 善
Zen
Change
Kai
Good

4. In lean manufacturing, kaizen represents
Continuous Improvement.

5. As a process, kaizen functions on the
philosophy that there is always room for
improvement.

6. Typically, kaizen calls for a ‘one team, one dream’
kind of attitude.

7. The goal is to have all employees actively engaged in
achieving incremental improvements over time.

8. Many companies hold kaizen events to identify areas where
business and production can improve.

9. Kaizen events last 3 to 5 days and are
typically characterized by:

10. Kaizen events last 3 to 5 days and are
typically characterized by:
Sharp focus on specific processes
Focus on improving supplier-
customer relationship & production
flow
Short bursts of intense activity that
add value & eliminate waste

11. While these events take employees away from their
work duties, they often foster a culture of
improvement and collaboration that’s good for
business.

12. To host these events,
kaizen team members are
appointed from within the
company with a kaizen expert
leading the way.

13. The team works diligently to:
Identify opportunity &
eliminate waste
Determine how to fix issues
Implement solutions

14. Standard kaizen teams are cross-departmental
and often chosen by the rule of thirds.

15. Standard kaizen teams are cross-departmental
and often chosen by the rule of thirds.
From within the area or
process targeted for kaizen
1/3rd

16. Standard kaizen teams are cross-departmental
and often chosen by the rule of thirds.
From within the area or
process targeted for kaizen
1/3rd
From
upstream and
downstream
processes
1/3rd

17. Standard kaizen teams are cross-departmental
and often chosen by the rule of thirds.
From within the area or
process targeted for kaizen
1/3rd
From
upstream and
downstream
processes
1/3rd
From areas
outside of the
targeted
process
1/3rd

18. Having ‘outsiders’ on the team forces topic
experts to simplify explanations and thought
processes so a lay person can easily
understand.

19. This helps the team brainstorm new ideas as
well as identify how to simplify something that
might be over-complicating production.
Think!

20. There are many benefits of adopting kaizen principles.
Here are just a few you can look forward to:
Production efficiency
Less waste, more output
Better customer service
Employee participation & satisfaction
Improved workplace safety

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