A Japanese term with the literal meaning of "improvement". The concept implies a continuous effort (therefore "continuous improvement") involving all company functions at all levels. The title of the book written by Masaaki Imai that we are using as our guide to TQM.
A Japanese term meaning continual improvement involving everyone. Said by some, to be one of the most important concepts in "Japanese management", it is working each and every day to make improvements in the processes of the organization. Such incremental, but continuous improvement may reap great gains over time. It is contrasted with the western world's pattern of relying on major "breakthrough" to gain needed improvement. The term was used by Masakai Imai.
The process of continuous improvement in production and every aspect of value added (Japanese).
Japanese for 'change for the better' or 'improvement'. A business philosophy of continuous cost reduction, reducing quality problems, and delivery time reduction through rapid, team-based improvement activity.
A Japanese word meaning gradual and orderly, continuous improvement. The Kaizen business strategy involves a rigorous methodology whereby everyone within an organization works together, most often in designated teams, to make improvements and implement solutions with creativity and without large capital investments.
an improvement, continual improvement in personal life, home life, social life and working life. In the workplace Kaizen means continuing improvement involving everyone regardless of position.
A Japanese term that means gradual unending improvement by doing little things better and setting and achieving increasingly higher standards. Masaaki Imai made the term famous in his book, Kaizen: The Key to Japan's Competitive Success.
The concept of continuous incremental improvement.
The Japanese process of continuous improvement using problem-solving and analysis techniques that may include the use of fishbone diagrams, control charts, affinity diagrams and other tools.
Japanese term that means continuous improvement. Kaizen Events are a common activity on the journey to lean where a group reviews one or more production processes to identify opportunities for improvement.
an (often) small and (always) low-cost improvement that succeeds by harnessing the creativity and enthusiasm of staff - and not by buying expensive machinery and equipment
(Quality Circles) As much a social system as an industrial process, kaizen is at the heart of the quality philosophy, and involves the use of quality circles - or small teams of workers - to analyze and make suggestions for improving their own work tasks.
The effecting of continuous improvement by systematically making small beneficial changes on a continuous basis. Two kinds of change are possible in a company: (1) wholescale major changes associated with the introduction of new technology or systems; and (2) gradual, never-ending change using existing resources to effect small improvements. Kaizen is concerned with (2) - for example, kaizen is concerned with SSSSS. The principal exponent of kaizen is Masaaki Imai, who also holds that the subject subsumes personal, or self improvement, as well as improvement of the work environment. See also Kaizen Teian.
Japanese word for continuous improvement.
Improving a process by continual, small improvements.
A combination of two Japanese words Kai (change) and Zen (good). Usually defined as "continuous improvement."
Kaizen Taken from the Japanese words kai and zen, where kai means change and zen means good. The popular meaning is continual improvement of all areas of a company not just quality.
a Japanese term used in the business setting to mean incremental, continuous improvement.
This is the Japanese word for improvement. Kaizen implies more than improvement in basic production processes. Kaizen represents a philosophy whereby an organization, and the individuals within it, undertake continual improvements of all aspects of organizational life.
Continuous improvement, meaning eliminating waste and non-value-added work. "There is always a simpler way."
the Japanese term for improvement; continuing improvement involving everyone-managers and workers. In manufacturing, kaizen refers to finding and eliminating waste in machinery, labor, or production methods.
In Japanese, “kaizen†literally means change (kai) for the better (zen). Kaizen is thus continuous or gradual improvement. This principle is based on the assumption that as soon as a system is established, it is doomed to decay unless it is constantly renewed or improved. The message inherent in kaizen is that no day should pass without some kind of improvement in the organisation. Kaizen is therefore a philosophy of perpetual change and flexibility for responding to changes in the environment.
Continuous improvement through incremental improvements. [Same as Process Kaizen
Japanese term for continuous improvement, taken from words 'Kai' means continuous and 'zen' means improvement
continuous, incremental improvement of an activity to eliminate waste
Continuous, incremental improvements of an activity to create more value with less waste.
Continuous Improvement is striving for perfection by continually removing successive layers of Waste, as they are discovered. It is generally accepted that a complete transformation process from mass production to Lean Manufacturing takes years. Perfection is zero waste and progress can't be benchmarked against competitors' levels of waste, but requires striving for world-class performance.
The systematic, organized improvement of processes by those who operate them, using straightforward methods of analysis. It is a "do-it-now" approach to continuous improvement. Continuous improvement on top of continuous improvement.
A Japanese word meaning continuous improvement through constant striving to reach higher standards.
The Japanese philosophy that means continuous improvement and enhancements to a process. It focuses on eliminating waste from the production process, as well as identifying the areas of the business that need improvement. It also applies to everyone in the business.