What is a properly executed Kaizen event?

Not all problems need a short- or long-term Kaizen event but there are some circumstances where they are the best tool for eliminating waste and improving customer satisfaction. So, when should you invest your employee's and your organization's time in a Kaizen event?

• When an urgent problem needs a quick fix: we mentioned "firefighting" earlier. This would fall under that category. Urgent problems may present themselves in the form of an uptick in defected products being produced, a big increase in customer complaints or a failed inspection.

• When you want to hit targeted goals: maybe your team has been slow to hit strategic goals or KPIs and you want to hit that issue head-on. A Kaizen event may help you achieve a strong push towards achieving those goals through documenting and comparing your current processes to a new one.

• When you have ineffective daily improvements: Kaizen events may help your team get unstuck in their daily processes. Getting your team into daily Kaizen events and in the "Kaizen culture" mindset gets them involved in the process by asking them to make changes for the better in their daily routines, leading to incremental changes over time. This shows them they have a direct impact on how things are done and that they have a bigger stake in the company than they may realize, leading to more satisfied employees.

• When you're working with other teams: one of the biggest areas of dysfunction in an organization is cross-functional collaboration; working with other departments. This is because every department has its own priorities and leadership. A Kaizen event gives two departments a structured environment to put their heads together and figure out how to work together towards a common goal. For example, the shipping and receiving team being on the same page as the production team is vital to an efficient process.

• When you haven't done one in a while: it may sound like common sense, but most people hold a Kaizen event and never do it again. Kaizen is all about continuous improvement, so it's important to do them regularly to keep  [removed]  and collaboration skills sharp through continuously honing processes. It's also best to do a Kaizen event when new team members are introduced to your department. Not only is it an opportunity to introduce them to continuous improvement tools and techniques, but they might also have ideas to contribute to the event.