Continuous Improvement

Kaizen. It’s an ancient word that means “continuous improvement.” Here’s how it works.

Step 1 =    Identify a standard. Typically this standard will align with some goal or will solve a problem.

Step 2 =    Establish a system, policy, or procedure to achieve the standard.

Step 3 =    Identify deviations from the standard. These will be situations that are not following the system, or that are not adequately covered by the system.

Step 4 =    Address and correct those deviations.

Step 5 =    Raise the standard, if possible, by identifying a new standard.

And what happens after step 5? The process begins again at Step 2 and is repeated over and over. In fact, that’s why it’s call Kaizen, continuous improvement.

 

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The above is used by permission from the book Three Years Of Tuesday Mornings: 156 e-mails about business and life by Steve Fales.