BETTER PROCESSES

By Dawn Reed

October 2012

WHAT IS KAIZEN?

7

kai zen

“change” “good”

•Small improvement ideas from everyone, everyday.

•Breakthrough improvements with cross-functional teams

and rapid implementation.

改善

KAIZEN BIG & SMALL

8 Time

Progress

Project-based, new

technology

implementation, new

materials, etc.

Kaizen Idea

Suggestions,

many / small /

daily

Kaizen Blitz, Kaizen Events,

Value-stream based

breakthrough events

KAIZEN 10 COMMANDMENTS

9

THE PURPOSE OF MAPPING

EXERCISE

STEP ONE: Think about a business process you are involved in at work.

STEP TWO: Write down the set of activities that are involved to achieve the

objective of the process.

EXAMPLE:

Business Process: Sending out a physical newsletter to subscribers.

Steps:

• Decide on a theme

• Identify existing source material

• Design the newsletter layout

• Requisition the lead article

• Develop supporting material

• Edit and proof the article and other newsletter submissions

• Prepare final draft

• Approve

• Print

• Mail

MAPPING SYMBOLS

Terminator: Designates start and stop points

Process: Designates an action

Decision: Designates a question

Connector: Designates a move from one process to another

Document: Designates when a step produces or involves a

document

Data: Designates inputs and outputs from a process

Data: Designates that something in the process is being

set-up or arranged.

PROCESS MAPPING EXAMPLE

Decide on a theme

Identify existing

source material

Design the

newsletter layout

Requisition the

lead article

Develop supporting

material

Edit and proof the article

and other newsletter

submissions

Prepare final draft

Approve

Print

Mail

Yes

No

SWIM LANE DIAGRAM

STEP PERSON RESPOINSIBILE ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT /

ROLE

Decide on a theme Charles CEO

Identify existing source

material

Erica Managing Director

Requisition the lead article Joanne Operations Manager

Design the newsletter layout Erica Managing Director

Develop supporting material Greg Operations Assistant

Edit & Proof the article and

other newsletter

submissions

Joanne Operations Manager

Prepare final draft Erica Managing Director

Approve Charles CEO

Print Joanne Operations Manager

Mail Timothy Administrative Assistant

SWIM LANE DIAGRAM

Image credit: <a href='http://www.123rf.com/photo_13943459_time-for-evaluate-concept-modern-clock-with-sign-on-a-white-background.html'>doomu / 123RF Stock Photo</a>