Are you and your Company ready for Kaizen? Often referred to in context as a one-time event, there is always room for improvement and Kaizen is a powerful tool that can be performed repeatedly, even daily, to make improvements that positively change outcomes across the organization. Kaizen events are a great way to get concentrated focus on a particular issue by mobilizing resources from across the organization. Kaizen events occur over 2-5 days and proper execution requires advanced planning. Kaizen success depends upon the level of commitment of the people involved, and their willingness to accept, adopt, and cope with change.
The focal area of Kaizen must be on execution, and at least 65% of the actions identified typically need to be implemented in order for meaningful and measurable change to take effect and illustrate impact. The remaining items on the actions list are often broader and deeper in scope, require a small investment, or require significant physical changes to the facility or equipment.
The process begins by developing a current state map, analyzing current practices, and people/ system/ material interactions to identify the most critical issues. Next, come up with new ideas on how to resolve the issues, create an ideal future state map and begin implementing. Unless radical changes are anticipated, a capital expense for example, implementation with intensity should begin immediately, which builds momentum and removes barriers of resistance to change. Measurement of “before and after” performance, based on a few key criteria, is critical to reinforce the impact of changes, and build the momentum and support for more improvement events.
Are you ready to embrace an improvement process methodology that can leapfrog your organization to never before seen performance achievements? Insyte Consulting resources have the experience and expertise to bring step change improvement to your organization. For over 40 years, Insyte Consulting has helped Western New York manufacturers to grow, innovate, and profit. Contact dhanitz@insyte-consulting.com to get the conversation started.
Dave Hanitz, along with Ryan Case, are Insyte Consulting’s Business Development Managers. For more information, including case studies, videos, and staff profiles, please visit www.insyte-consulting.com and then fill out our quick contact page!
Dave Hanitz, Business Development Manager at Insyte Consulting
Dave is an engineer with more than 35 years of managerial and operational experience with WNY manufacturers, including Fisher Price Toys, The MIBRO Group and ATECH-S.E.H. Precision Metal Fabricators. He is our Business Development Manager for companies in Northern Erie, Niagara and Allegany Counties. Dave previously served as a business consultant with Insyte from 1995 to 2006, helping manufacturers improve their businesses through lean manufacturing implementations, ISO quality management systems, and other operational improvements. He has a B.S. in Engineering from the State University College at Buffalo and an M.S. in Engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
