Planning a kaizen event Careful planning is essential for any 2 2
kaizen event � without a good plan, 3 3
you won't achieve results. 4 4
When planning a kaizen event, you need to select a target for 5 5
the event. 6 6
This may be a specific process or site. 7 7
Then you select event leaders who'll provide oversight for the 8 8
core kaizen team. 9 9
Finally, you draw up an event charter to 10 10
provide details of the event's scope, 11 11
objectives, logistics, 12 12
and of who is accountable for different aspects of the event. 13 13
When choosing a target site or process, 14 14
you need to consider the organization's strategic goals, 15 15
what could eliminate the most waste or costs, 16 16
and what benefits the event could have on the organization's 17 17
profits. 18 18
For example, you may create a rating table to 19 19
determine which of two processes to target at a large 20 20
manufacturer. 21 21
One is the die casting process and the other is the product 22 22
assembly process for a specific product family. 23 23
Follow along as the rating table is used to select the best of a 24 24
set of potential targets for a kaizen event. 25 25
Graphic A rating table initially has three columns � the first 26 26
column header is empty, the second is labeled Die cast 27 27
process, and the third is labeled Assemble 28 28
and pack process. 29 29
You add key business drivers that you want the kaizen event to 30 30
address. 31 31
You also add kaizen event drivers. 32 32
Then you add a Totals and an Average row for later 33 33
calculations. 34 34
Next you determine a rating scale for how the event is likely to 35 35
impact the business driver or kaizen target. 36 36
Typically, the scale should be kept as 37 37
simple as possible. 38 38
You add ratings for each process. 39 39
In this example, the die cast process scores high 40 40
for most business drivers, but scores very low on the kaizen 41 41
event drivers of fast results, risk, 42 42
and cost. 43 43
You then calculate totals and averages for each process. 44 44
In this case, the die cast process adds up to a 45 45
total of 15, with an average of 2.5. 46 46
The total of the assemble and pack process is 19; 47 47
its average is 3.17. 48 48
Using the rating table, the manufacturer determines that 49 49
it needs to target the assemble and pack process. 50 50
This process has the potential to deliver more overall benefits to 51 51
the organization after improvement and makes a good 52 52
target for a kaizen event. 53 53
Once you've selected a target process to improve, 54 54
you need to appoint event leaders to champion the event. 55 55
These should include a Lean facilitator, 56 56
as well as an executive sponsor, a value stream champion, 57 57
a team lead, and an event coordinator. 58 58
These leaders should meet regularly during the planning 59 59
process to monitor progress and provide necessary resources. 60 60
The facilitator will direct the selection of members for a 61 61
cross-functional team. 62 62
Question Do you think facilitators should keep to the 63 63
same core team members over various kaizen events? 64 64
Options: 65 65
1. 66 66
Yes 2. 67 67
No Answer The more employees who are placed on a kaizen team, 68 68
the broader the integration of Lean know-how and culture. 69 69
So typically core teams should change with each event.