CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT (KAIZEN)
- Attila Gursel
- Jul 20, 2020
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 31, 2023

In Japanese, "Kai" means change, "Zen" means good, better. “Kaizen”, which is formed by the merging of these two words, means continuous improvement that includes everyone. This word also expresses a philosophy and a way of life. According to this philosophy, it is necessary to put in continuous efforts at home, workplace and social life, in order for each passing day to be better than the previous day.
“Kaizen” philosophy is a process of continuous improvement. This philosophy depends on everyone that is working to question the job being done and contemplating on how they can do it better. There is continuous search for improvement in thought and behavior.
Each and every business in the service sector that wants to maintain its existence has 3 main objectives: To provide its services to its customers with better quality, cheaper and in a shorter time. Businesses cannot succeed in this highly competitive environment without the goals of "quality", "cost" and "delivery time". All other management functions of businesses should serve these 3 goals.
Small but continuous improvements, especially by all employees, lie at the heart of continuous improvement. The priority of continuous improvement is processes. Problems cannot be solved without improving the process. It is the duty of everyone, especially those working in that job, to explore opportunities for improvement. No process, no flow is too perfect to make minor improvements.
Quality is everything that can be improved. Whenever there is an improvement, this ultimately leads to an improvement in quality and efficiency. Adopting the concept of continuous improvement, which is the basic element of quality management, and its adaptation to the whole business is crucial.
There are 7 principles of "Kaizen".
1. Accept the problem.
2. Choose projects that don't require a lot of money.
3. First consider "our" problems, not "theirs".
4. Economic interest should not be the only priority.
5. Determine priorities. Implement the project based on the principles of quality, cost, distribution etc.
6. Plan, implement, control, take measures through (PDCA) cycle.
7. Use the correct solution tools.

Comments