What is KAIZEN™
Dive into the KAIZEN™ methodology
Improving the World with
Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day
– The KAIZEN™ way
Definition of KAIZEN™
Over 40 years ago, Masaaki Imai introduced the term KAIZEN™ to the western world with his groundbreaking book ‘Kaizen: The Key to Japan’s Competitive Success’. Today, KAIZEN™ is recognized worldwide as a pillar of organizations’ long-term competitive strategy.
“KAIZEN™ means improvement. Moreover, it means continuing improvement in personal life, home life, social life, and working life. When applied to the workplace KAIZEN™ means continuing improvement involving everyone – managers and workers alike.”
Masaaki Imai, Founder of Kaizen Institute
The Core of KAIZEN™
Know your customer
Always put the customer first.
Let it flow
Optimize processes for continuous workflow.
Go to Gemba
Observe the challenges firsthand on site.
Empower people
Encourage the active participation of all employees.
Be transparent
Adopt an open and honest communication approach.
KAIZEN™ Methodology Development History
The KAIZEN™ methodology has gradually developed over many decades. It was publicly and officially introduced to the world in the 1980s as a systematic methodology through the best-selling book “KAIZEN™” by Masaaki Imai, the founder of Kaizen Institute.
1930
Masaaki Imai is born in Tokyo, Japan. The first domestic automotive production is planned in Japan, and the Just-In-Time concept is observed.
1940
World War II to post-war economic reform period commences in Japan.
1950
Imai works at the Japan Productivity Center in the USA and accompanies Japanese executives to visit and learn from US manufacturers. Japanese companies gain strength in their quality and worldwide competitiveness.
1960
Imai works with Shoichiro Toyoda to observe the American way of business.
1980
Imai works internationally with Taiichi Ohno to spread the message of the Toyota Production System (TPS).
1986
KAIZEN™ is introduced to the world for the first time, as a systematic management methodology.
1990’s
KAIZEN™ appears for the first time as a word in the Oxford dictionary.
The term Lean was coined.
Lean concepts are promoted through various publications, to include Imai’s GEMBAKAIZEN™ book.
Tools, such as Six Sigma, gain popularity though clouding the importance of a systematic approach.
Kaizen Institute continues to offer practical, hands-on methods that fit the local culture and business practice, when implementing KAIZEN™ within organizations.
2000’s
KAIZEN™ Management System (KMS) is developed, to help companies to improve based on a systematic QCD Model.
KAIZEN™ Change Model (KCM) is added to enhance a KAIZEN™ culture, mindset and behaviors of the organization.
Many corporations start developing their own improvement strategies based on KAIZEN™, seeking to gain sustainable improvements and a competitive advantage within their markets.
Today
KAIZEN™ Business System (KBS) supports organizations to achieve Continuous Improvement and sustainable growth.
Kaizen Institute continues to spearhead global development for the KAIZEN™ methodology, bringing awareness to Everyone, Everywhere, Everyday.
History Timeline
1930s
Masaaki Imai is born in Tokyo in 1930.
The first domestic automotive production is planned in Japan, and the Just-In-Time concept is observed.
1940s
The ´always striving to do better´ attitude (later known as KAIZEN™) is evident in thousands of pages from young Masaaki Imai’s diaries.
The period from World War II to Japan’s post-war economic reforms.
1950s
Masaaki Imai works at the Japan Productivity Center in the USA and accompanies executives to learn from US manufacturers.
1960s
In Japan, Masaaki Imai establishes an executive recruitement consulting firm.
Masaaki Imai works with Shoichiro Toyoda to observe the American business practices.
1980s
Masaaki Imai works with Taiichi Ohno, an engineer known for developing the Toyota Production System.
First KAIZEN™ (Gemba) Tour in Japan is organized by Masaaki Imai in 1981.
Kaizen Institute Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland in 1985.
Kaizen: The Key to Japan’s Competitive Success book is published in 1986.
KAIZEN™, as a systematic management methodology, is introduced to the world for the first time.
1990s
Gemba Kaizen: A Commonsense, Low-Cost Approach to Management book is published in 1997.
The term ´Lean´ is coined.
KAIZEN™ and Lean concepts are promoted through various publications.
2000s
The proprietary KAIZEN™ Management System, later to be known as the KAIZEN™ Change Model and the KAIZEN™ Business System, is developed as a corporate consulting model.
Many corporations start developing their own improvement strategies based on KAIZEN™
2010s
Kaizen in Logistics and Supply Chains book is published in 2013.
Strat to Action: The KAIZEN™ Method for Turning Strategy into Action book is published in 2019.
2020s
Strategic KAIZEN™: Using FSL™ to Measure and Strengthen Operational Performance book is published in 2021.
Masaaki Imai passes away in 2023, leaving behind a legacy as the founder of Kaizen Institute and the Father of KAIZEN™.
Today
Kaizen Institute supports organizations to achieve sustainable growth and continues to spear-head the development and application of the KAIZEN™ methodology.
Kaizen Institute offers consultation and training services on 6 continents, in 60+ countries to 45+ sectors in 30+ languages.
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Want to know more?
Go back to basics and learn more about the KAIZEN™ terminology that reinforces the KAIZEN™ culture
The KAIZEN™ Way
Success Story