How to make a good Kaizen workshop?

Kaizen is a Japanese management practice and art that is the foundation of the Lean Management concept. It is based on continuous improvement and continuous solution of new problems. This is done by properly utilizing the potential and knowledge of employees and their involvement. Continuous identification and elimination of waste are aimed at making the company more competitive in the market.

Table of Contents

1. What does kaizen offer employees?
2. The essence of the workshop
3. Benefits of conducting a Kaizen workshop

Kaizen improvement is nothing more than streamlining workstations, manufacturing processes and the daily functioning of employees in the company space. Kaizen is aimed at reducing process execution time, as well as improving process quality. The philosophy creates an atmosphere in which companies solve their problems. Kaizen focuses primarily on the essence of the process itself and how it is managed, rather than evaluating people by their performance.

1. What does kaizen offer employees?

Implementing assumptions in line with lean and kaizen philosophies usually involves substantial changes in employees’ daily lives. People are reluctant to accept change, as it is easier for them to carry out their tasks in the way they are used to. Therefore, the process of transforming processes should start with convincing employees that the changes will positively affect not only the condition of the company, but also the comfort of their work. With better conditions and hygiene at work, it will be easier for them to achieve their goals. A newly hired person, starting work at the company, has certain tasks to perform. It is often the case that the employee is not fully aware of his role in the company. This can have a negative impact on his motivation to work efficiently. Among other things, defining and clearly specifying the role is one of the tasks of kaizen workshops.

2. The essence of the workshop

The number of participants and the duration of the workshop may vary depending on the chosen goal, needs and specifics of the group or company. There is no single, strictly defined rule of thumb in this regard. However, it is important to remember that kaizen workshops are primarily action-based tasks. The most crucial element of the workshop is the involvement of participants in the workshop throughout its duration. It is through practice, which in this case is key to achieving positive results, that workshops are such an effective lean tool. It is important for the manager of the department where the workshop is held to gather all, necessary information that pertains to the current state even before the workshop begins. This will facilitate and accelerate the implementation of certain assumptions during the workshop. In view of the fact that kaizen workshops are supposed to focus on action, steps should be taken immediately to do so. It is the role of the workshop organizer to plan tasks for the group well in advance. Every employee should be aware that the kaizen coordinator is there to help. His role is to involve every workshop participant to the same degree. People by nature approach this type of event differently. Some are more and others less expressive. The predispositions of the group’s participants should be used to best suit the tasks assigned to them.

3. Benefits of conducting a Kaizen workshop

• Perception of processes in terms of Lean Management and Kaizen philosophies, and thus the ability to tailor and implement the most effective improvements
• Increase employee involvement in solving company problems
• Acquire skills in detecting and identifying losses in production and office processes
• Increase savings for the company by effectively implementing improvements flowing from submitted ideas
• Effective change management in the organization
• Continuous development of the organization, emphasizing quality improvement, in accordance with the Lean concept