kaizen is a word of Japanese origin that means change for the better, used to convey the notion of continuous improvement in life in general, be it personal, family, social and at work.
In the business context, the kaizen is methodology that lowers costs and improves productivity. Regarded as the father of kaizen, Japanese teacher Masaaki reveals the importance of gemba (Japanese term meaning "real place"), the workplace where true value is created. In addition, the involvement of all company employees is essential in the kaizen, because this is a methodology that does not focus on elites.
In the 1950s, the Japanese took over Taylor's classic management ideas to renew their industry and created the concept of kaizen, which means continuous improvement. This practice is aimed at the good not only of the company but also of the man who works for it, assuming that time is the best indicator of competitiveness. In addition, this method aims to recognize and eliminate waste in the company, whether in production processes, new products, machine maintenance or even processes administrative.
According to the kaizen, it is always possible to do better, no day should go by without some improvement being implemented, be it in the structure of the company or in the individual. Changes made must be gradual and never sudden, so as not to disturb the balance of the structure. Toyota's Production System is known for its application of the principle of kaizen.
To kaizen, one works and lives in the most balanced and satisfying way possible, if at least three requirements are attended: financial and emotional stability for the employee, pleasant organizational climate and simple and functional.
Kaizen and the 5s's
The 5s's are concepts that work as the basis of the kaizen:
- Seiton: sense of organization of the material needed to produce something. This way, employees do not waste time looking for these materials.
- seiri: concept that implies the distinction between essential and non-essential things, separating the two categories, so that less important things are kept where they do not disturb normal activity.
- six:is related to cleaning, and indicates that the areas where the work is done must be clean, so that productivity is not affected.
- seiketsu:concept related to hygiene and the maintenance of a satisfactory and healthy environment for workers.
- Shitsuke:refers to discipline, determination, honor and uprightness of character. Principles that guarantee the fulfillment of the above elements and that facilitate the achievement of success.
Kaizen, kanban and just in time
O kaizen, kanban and just in time they are methodologies used in the context of production by companies.
O just in time it is related to production management systems, and determines that nothing must be produced, transported or purchased before the right time. Adopted by companies like Toyota, some managers say that in some Western countries, JIT is just used to shorten production time, whereas in Japan it refers to exact quantity and quality, in time right.
O kanban is a system that indicates the use of cards (post-it notes and others) to indicate the progress of production flows in serial manufacturing companies, allowing to stimulate the delivery and production of parts.