Kaizen is composed of the words ‘KAI’ and ‘ZEN’ which means continuous and better change in Japan. It provides continuous improvement for machine production.
The main target here, is to enable human consciousness and quality to get involved into the production process. Standards are highly important; they should always be improved and become better.
As a result of teamwork in Kaizen; short-term improvements and long-term developments are provided and achievements arise... In addition to the improvements; positioning is an important fact that is going to avoid waste and provide developments. These improvements, developments and innovations keep our lives alive.
Kaizen and innovation are very similar to each other. Innovation, requires fundamental changes for the existing system. Huge investments provide short-term developments with new technologies. Kaizen, steps in at this stage and develops huge investments and applies into real life with less cost and makes these innovations more productive and provides continuity for standards. It is a complement for all of the innovations.
Kaizen, predicts the costs that will occur in the future and take precautions in order to avoid them. It guarentees continuity of the system with inventions and developments. It requires an intensive cooperation and attendancy for everyone.
Kaizen, identifies waste and finds the sources of the problems. If these problems aren’t totally removed, bigger problems and serious difficulties are going to occur. As an example; positioning of bins should be far away from the machines in order to avoid time and cost waste. Kaizen philosophy requires to avoid any kind of waste.
The perfectionism approach of Steve Jobs can be mentioned as another example in Kaizen. Jobs, achieved to adjust even the circuit plans in mobile phones. His success is known all over the world and the development of his company is based on Kaizen determination.
Retrenching is the most important thing in Kaizen. Lee Iococca’s manufacturing and working type is the best example to be given for retrenching. The underlying reasons for his success, are the various teamworks that are made with the participation of everyone in the company. Thus, he believed the strength of perfectionism with continuous change and encouraged his employees to form high standards by following inventions and innovations.
RESULT
Kaizen is a management system which has a continuous improvement target and increases production awareness on people. It aims to remove the losses which may occur during equipment, labor, material and energy usage. It provides his employees to work in a clean and healthy environment and improves the business processes for them. In brief; continuous improvements lie behind Kaizen.
