|
The Japanese term used in LEAN techniques for improvement; continuing improvement involving everyone—managers and workers. The effecting of continuous improvement by systematically making small beneficial changes on a continuous basis. Two kinds of change are possible in a company:
1) wholescale major changes, perhaps associated with the introduction of new technology or systems; and
2) gradual, never-ending change using existing resources to effect small improvements.
Kaizen is concerned with possibility (2). For example, kaizen might be based on putting into practice '5S'. The principal exponent of kaizen is Masaaki Imai, who also holds that the subject subsumes personal, or self, improvement, as well as improvement of the work environment.
|
