MM 14 Kaizen

Kaizen is a working method derived from the Japanese philosophy of life. Translated, Kaizen means "change for the better" ( Japanese: "kai" = "change, transformation", "zen" = "for the better" ) and stands for a never-ending striving for improvement. In companies, this means constant optimization in process organization and is also referred to as the continuous improvement process (CIP) - with the objectives of increasing quality and reducing costs. Kaizen is part of the basic vocabulary of quality management and, not least for this reason, is closely linked to lean management and Six Sigma.

Kaizen encompasses a range of different methods and considerations, all of which aim to capture in meticulous detail how to get the most out of each process. Here are two examples:

Process orientation:
First, the focus must be on moving away from results-oriented management. "The path is the destination" becomes the motto. All processes must be documented.

Customer orientation:
Kaizen no longer distinguishes between internal and external customers. While end-user feedback is ultimately crucial for profit, process optimization must also consider, for example, the needs of a branch office (internal customer) where a product is further processed. One tool for this is customer surveys and continuous feedback.

In the context of:

Q: Q01, Q04, Q05, Q08, Q12, Q15, Q20

E: E05, E17

T: T01, T07, T10, T14, T16, T18