Gemba Kaizen

What is Gemba Kaizen?

It simply means “Improvement has no End”.

Gemba Kaizen is Japanese term referred to continuous improvement of employment, production, Services and efficiency. It is a Japanese technique to optimize the workplace.

History-

It is originated from the pioneer work of various experts such as Masaaki Imai, Frederick Taylor, Frank Bunker Gilbreth, Walter Shewhart. This method targets the continuous development of quality techniques. 

Principles and objectives of Gemba Kaizen

In order to arrive at improvement, this continuous improvement method has set a number of principles and objectives that can be used for any organization:

 1.        Total Quality Management (TQM)

Total Quality Management (TQM) is all about reducing and eliminating waste.

 2.        Just In Time (JIT)

Organization can customize and economize stock carrying cost by delivering products and or services as and when needed by customer, Just in Time (JIT) concept.

 3.        Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)

Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) is all about standardization of production because of which complicated and expensive processes can be avoided.

 4.        Zero Defects (ZD)

The focus of attention is on preventing errors and on adapting the quality and demands of customer need.

 5.        Workplace

Because of a good atmosphere and a pleasant working environment, people will work more effectively and efficiently. This is how it aims for improving the workplace.

 6.        Respect

The employees are especially the driving force behind the continuous improvements within an organization. Understanding the importance of need to improve, respecting each one in the team should be involved together. Organization chart/hierarchy is not important in this since this involves all levels of organization to come together. If necessary, even external stakeholders could

 be involved in Gemba Kaizen.

 Conclusion-

Gemba Kaizen is a continuous improvement and should be implemented by every team member in everyday life. It is easy to apply and leads to efficiency and increase in productivity. It is a critical success of large organization where a workplace can be converted into a show room.