LDRDocs/Processes/Continuous Improvement/Kaizen Criteria Cheatsheet.md

Kaizen Handout / Cheat-sheet

This handout describes the three criteria an improvement must meet to be “kaizen”. An improvement that doesn’t meet all three criteria cannot be considered kaizen.

1) Other people, processes, or areas the improvement might affect have been considered.

2) The improvement is a one-time change, provides lasting value, and can be acted on right now.

3) There is a way to measure the improvement.

Elaboration / Whys

1) Other people, processes, or areas the improvement might affect have been fully considered.

This is to make sure the improvement does not cause new problems in other unrelated areas. Sometimes an improvement can seem great, but causes problems for other people.

Example of the problem: Multiple people access a supply cabinet on a regular basis, and they have trouble finding what they’re looking for. If one person reorganizes the cabinet without speaking with others first, they might make it harder for other people to find what they need.

2) The improvement is a one-time change, provides lasting value, and can be acted on right now.

This is to make sure:

• The improvement doesn’t just add an extra step or more work, unless that extra step or work decreases the overall amount of work in some lasting way. The exception can be making a schedule for something if one doesn’t already exist.

• The improvement won’t be delayed or forgotten because we’re saving up money, waiting for something to go on sale, or expecting some other person or group to help. It can also be a problem when the improvement has a lot of complicated steps or multiple people required to put it in place.