Method Kaizen: Japanese philosophy of anti-waste and job management

Most methods of improving productivity will give you the tools to deal with each specific project or reorganize your job list. However, with the Kaizen method - translated into English as "Good change" - a psychological-based technique to increase the productivity of the introduced Japanese right here will help you arrange Back almost everything you do. In short, Kaizen means "a continuous and continuous improvement" and this way of thinking you can apply anytime, anywhere, in every situation.

Kaizen is not really a "system" that improves the productivity you want to reorganize the to-do list and it seems to be a psychological philosophy. Unlike the Getting Things Done (GTD) method or Pomodoro technique , Kaizen is a way of thinking and organizing things - from the way you work to the way you work in groups.

So what is the specific Kaizen method?

As mentioned above, Kaizen refers more to "continuous improvement and non-stop". Simply put, every aspect of an organizational process should work towards doing something better. This philosophy first appeared in many Japanese businesses, right after World War II with the content that doing things the way you normally do is not a good thing, especially when there are always other options. Better can produce more amazing results. Inspired by Western productivity enhancements, Kaizen also appears to mean efforts across the company to intelligently improve and streamline business operations. As a method of production, at the same time, still respect products, manufacturing techniques and workers.

This continuous improvement can be separated into 6 steps:

1. Standardization (Standardize): Begins with the process of making a specific activity repeatable and organized.
2. Measure: Check whether the process is effective using data that can be quantified in terms of completion time, number of hours to spend .
3. Compare (Compare): Compare measurement results with requirements. Does that process save time? Does it take too much time? Does it match the expected results?
4. Innovation (Innovate): Looking for new, better ways to do the same job or achieve the same result. Search for smarter, more efficient roads that reach the same goal that can increase productivity.
5. Standardize (Standardize): Create another similar process for new, more efficient operations.
6. Repeat (Reapeat): Go back to step 1 and start again.

It sounds time-consuming and confusing, but this is part of a psychological approach to work or corporate culture (or team). If you are looking for better ways to do everything or you are always ready to experiment, this is just a step forward to formalize the rule and make sure everyone is compliant.

Obviously, Kaizen does not change things that nature always changes. This is a process of continuous improvement, caution and changes that don't really give you the rewards you didn't create. After all, productivity is both beneficial and harmful. You can spend more time doing new things and looking for newer tools that are really focused on working. Remember, the best productivity system is the one that can help you get things done and the best apps are the ones you really use. Never forget this when trying to optimize your work.

Kaizen relates to each member in the change. Kaizen focuses on identifying problems at the source, solving problems at the source and changing standards to ensure that the problem is solved at the root.

Kaizen method and 5S tool

5S originates from 5 Japanese words starting with "S": Seiri, Seiton, Seiso, Seiketsu and Shitsuke. In different countries, 5S has been translated into different words but basically their meaning has not changed. In English, 5S is translated into the corresponding words Sort, Straighten, Shine, Systemise and Sustain . In Vietnamese, 5S includes: Refinement, Arrangement, Clean, Care and Ready.

1. Seiri (Screening): Sort and organize items in order. The main content in S1 is to classify and move unnecessary items in the workplace.
2. Seiton (Arrangement): After removing unnecessary items, the next task is to organize the remaining items effectively according to criteria easy to find, easy to see, easy to retrieve and easy to return.
3. Seiso (Clean): Cleaning and keeping the workplace clean, is done through the organization of overall hygiene and daily cleaning of machines, appliances and work areas. Seiso aims to improve the working environment, minimize risks and accidents, and improve the accuracy of machinery and equipment (due to the impact of dirt).
4. Seiketsu (Care): S4's goal is to maintain long-term 3S activities, not temporary movements. By developing S4, 3S activities will be improved gradually based on the standards set and proceeding to perfect 5S in the enterprise.
5. Shitsuke (Ready): It is understood that training, creating a habit, order and style for all participants to implement 5S.

Benefits of Kaizen method in enterprises

1. Reduce waste in areas such as inventory, waiting time, transportation, staff operations, staff skills, overproduction, unsatisfactory quality .
2. Motivate individuals to have innovative ideas.
3. Create a spirit of teamwork and solidarity.
4. Create a sense towards reducing waste.
5. Building company culture.

Kaizen method: Toyota's production system

Toyota uses Kaizen as one of its core business principles. A very famous story that Toyota is committed to making continuous improvements to the point that any worker working at the assembly line of this auto manufacturing business can stop working at a company. certain segments, regardless of time, to discover problems in production, fix bugs or suggestions with better solution management to do things that reduce waste or improve performance.

The whole story goes like this: The executives of an American automaker during a visit to Toyota sought to know how Japanese partners could producing many such cars with very little wasted resources and errors occur. Meanwhile, their workshops still maintain high productivity but there are quite a few errors at the final stage in the chain (and then it is discovered) such as the door is not sure welding, the Steel wheels do not fit together or the latches are misplaced - then, the cars are disassembled to fix bugs and re-assemble. The cost will be much higher than the error corrected immediately or the first phase error never occurred.

These people have observed Toyota's production process in practice and are very surprised at how this line is operated. It is unbelievable that any worker will be able to suspend the line without the approval of the supervisor, not to mention the need to propose management as per the policy or procedure predefined.

Rewarding employees who have corrected errors is also done immediately - even if they are not in their roles - have never been heard of, especially when common logic at that time was "No matter what happens, never stop the line" . After returning to the US, those who visited Toyota applied this process, they began to reward those who find better solutions to work together or to accomplish outstanding work and they also reward for those who work better quality instead of doing many things.

These principles have now become the core foundation of Kaizen method as a philosophy of productivity. Once applied, the goal is to work better, not to do many things (like working smarter and not harder). Similarly, the important thing here is to create time to find improvements and optimizations.

Kaizen is easy to implement. Because it is more about spiritual philosophy than a real method, there is no specific tool / plan / solution. Instead, make Kaizen suitable for you by changing your approach to work. Kaizen is not only applied in businesses but also suitable for each person.

The key here is to find ways to spend less time on what you have to do and spend more time on what you want to do.

Kaizen method and one minute rule

You set up an exercise plan, learn a foreign language, cook, walk, chat with foreigners . but only eagerly for the first few sessions.

This is too normal because most of us are determined to achieve our goals but quickly fail to implement the plan. At this time, many people find ways to excuse themselves that are not ready, lack support and will do them next week, next month or someday.

Behind those failures can be because you want to achieve too many things in a short time, your habits are difficult to change or you feel bored with your responsibilities.

In the Kaizen philosophy, there is a "one minute rule" that is ideal for treating this lazy disease. The main content of the idea is that one person does something within a minute at the same time of each day. Similar to the one minute rule, Kaizen also proposed some small steps to help you perfect yourself, for example:

1. Each day learn a new 5 words, separated into 1 word learning in 1 minute at different times and at the end of the day will put a sentence with 5 words.
2. Read a page of literature, economics and science every day .
3. Reduce one cigarette a day.
4. Take 1 minute each day to focus on your breath.
5. Each day spent 1 minute to travel, practicing simple exercise.

Apply the Kaizen philosophy right now and wait for positive changes to happen to your life. Good luck.