Gemba Kaizen

Masaaki Imai

Gemba Kaizen is a Japanese strategy that proves that productivity can be increased without the addition of things but rather through elimination. A proper study of the working processes will lead you to discover several unnecessary elements that take up time and energy without providing anything to the end result.  Such nonessential elements called muda should be discarded to free up the resources to function efficiently. 

Gemba Kaizen gives employees the priority and they not only benefit from its efficiency but also help them develop and implement strategies. Since employees are the ones involved in work, they have the best scope for improving workflow and are responsible for boosting the company’s productivity so that the need for expensive innovations or external consultants doesn’t arise. According to this strategy, every member of the company, be it employee or manager, should always search for potential ways to improve the working process. Though the improvements might be small and gradual, it tends to produce sizable results.

An applicable strategy in many fields

The application of this strategy is however not just limited to the industrial context as it can be applied to a vast range of disciplines and fields be it hospitals, insurance brokers, administration or even personal lives. In Japan, Gemba Kaizen was the strategy that saved Toyota after World War II and a hit on its industrial infrastructures. Companies had to work with the limited assets available and hired employees for life, thereby stressing on the need for their constant improvement. Economical management is thus vital for the economic success of any company. 

Setting standards for efficient functioning

Order and efficiency can be achieved in your company by following a set of simple standard processes. Standards refer to the best- known way to do things at a given time. It helps avoid mistakes as everyone is aware of what is expected and what is to be done, thus ensuring efficiency and quality. Standards are also effective when they change, adapt and improve as the company grows for all to profit from it. Implementing effective solutions brought up by employees as standards not only empowers them but also motivates them to stay dedicated.

Self-discipline, an essential value at the workplace 

In Japanese culture, the workplace, Gemba is where value is generated and self-discipline plays a vital role. To keep the workplace efficient, the Kaizen philosophy suggests five practises- five Ss. The first is Seiri, which involves sorting out all the non- essential items from the workplace whereby the leader marks them with red tape. The workers have a chance to object the tagging of an item that they deem necessary and those that remain tagged will be removed. This is followed by Seiton, which stands for straightening things out and maintaining order. Next is sweeping the work floor and maintaining tidiness known as Seiso. The fourth step, Seiketsu, is about ensuring that the workplace follows the first three steps by systematizing them. The last step is about maintaining and standardizing things achieved thus far known as Shitsuke, making Seiri, Seiton, Seiso and Seiketsu as habits.

Quicker troubleshooting through visualizing

The visual management strategy includes a combination of visual tools that give essential information, help spot problems and keep standards in the working process. The probabilities for improvement are also highlighted through visualising. Visualising aims can help inspire employees by seeing their progress and is a valuable, cheap and sensible tool that should be employed in a work environment.

The need for a CEO who walks the talk

Gemba Kaizen is not merely a strategy but a mindset that must be adopted by the head of the company by ensuring that everyone is on board with the plan. Certain employees need some convincing at some points and the CEO is the person for the job as they are capable of setting leading examples by immersing themselves in the workplace and practising what they preach. A CEO should constantly work towards the improvement of the work environment by focusing on the future rather than the past mistakes and redefining goals. 

The duties and roles of a good manager

To maintain the standards which form the backbone of the workplace and understand the problems, the manager should always be involved and committed in the workplace. Problem-solving can give rise to new and better standards and the managers must come up with such improvements and ensure their maintenance. The workplace is the area for developments and transformation and the presence of the managers is highly essential to motivate the workers. For the effective practice of Gemba Kaizen, the managers should be active at all levels of the workplace that enable them to establish good relationships with their workers and keep a track of their performance.

 Thus a few simple and reasonable techniques of Gemba Kaizen when employed within the company contribute to its growth, efficiency and prosperity.

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