Kaizen

The flag of Japan

Kaizen, which is Japanese for "improvement", when used in a business sense refers to continuous improvement in business activities. It involves every employee/manager.

The concept of PDCA which stands for Plan-Do-Check-Act (also called the Deming cycle/Shewhart cycle), is a "cyclical method for continuous improvement in business processes that is commonly used to achieve kaizen. The four steps are designed to be repeated iteratively, allowing for ongoing refinement and optimization."

Another common strategy to achieve kaizen is Six Sigma which "is a data-driven methodology for process improvement that aims to reduce defects and variation in processes, leading to increased efficiency and profitability. It's a structured approach, often using the DMAIC framework (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control), to identify and eliminate the root causes of defects and improve quality. The term "Six Sigma" itself comes from statistics, representing a process with a very low defect rate (3.4 defects per million opportunities)." See: Six Sigma: Key Principles, Techniques, Tools, and Careers

See also

The phrase "Plan, Do, Check, Act" (PDCA) refers to a cyclical problem-solving and continuous improvement model. It is commonly referred to by the names of PDCA/Deming cycle/Shewhart cycle.

• Change management
• Personal development

External

• Kaizen: Understanding the Japanese Business Philosophy
• 5 Kaizen Principles That Underpin the Methodology
• What is Kaizan, Kaizan Institute

Video:

• Kaizen