71 ways to develop

"Kaizen Eyes"

By Tom Curtis

Created by Tom Curtis August 2010Blog: www.onimproving.blogspot.comOther presentations on www.slideshare.net Under Onimproving Email: ideamerchants@gmail.com

IntroductionKaizen is continual improvement for the better. "Kaizen Eyes" see opportunities to improve. These eyes are a skill that

can be developed through technique and practice. Contained in this slide set are ways (techniques) to be practiced. They

will help to widen the ability to recognize opportunity that may not be

in full view. Good luck!-Tom Curtis

Ask new questions

Look with a specific purpose

Observe from multiple angles

Take notes

Compare notes with non similar thinking individuals

Visit at different times

Describe to another person

Try to write work instructions

Stand quietly in one place and observe

Read widely and diversely

Practice activity of the product

Practice activity of the person

Practice activity of the machine

Draw a spaghetti chart

Map the process

Learn something new

Work the job

Shadow an employee

Write something

Teach the activity to someone

Put yourself in someone else's role

Visit other places

Take pictures

Draw the value stream map

Ask yourself what normal should look like

Measure Takt (rhythm of the process)

Audit standard work

Yokoten something to another activity

Design a simulation

Do logic puzzles

Ask "why not?" questions

Take specific training

Record annoyances

Invest in small steps

Look from different frame (i.e. quality, safety, materials)

Follow flow

Do an experiment

Count something

Swim up the process

Test a theory

Ask a child

Look for patterns

Understand the financials

Learn the history of the process

Research technology changes

Imagine what the activity would look like with different staffing

Update or upgrade an activity

Build something

Price a replacement

Specify value through the eye of the customer

Start to kaizen something

Join an improvement team

Create a poka-yoke

Brainstorm possibilities

Study other kaizens

Collect examples of improvements from all parts of life

Practice at home

Teach to a child

Take something apart

Ask for help to solve a problem

Do a walkthrough with someone else

Ask someone for help

Study problem solving

Quiz suppliers

Listen to customers

Try to SMED the process

What would you do with unlimited budget?

What would you do with $20?

Search help forums

Create a checklist

Always be looking for opportunity