Description
Book SynopsisToyota Kaizen Methods: Six Steps to Improvement focuses on the skills and techniques practiced inside Toyota Motor Corporation during the past decades. This workbook focuses on the actual training course concepts and methods used by Toyota to develop employee skill level, a core element of Toyota's success. It is not a book about holding Western-style five-day Kaizen events, which were in reality quite rare during the development of Toyota's production system and are virtually nonexistent today inside Toyota. Written by two of Toyota's most revered and experienced trainers, the book
- Traces the origins of Kaizen since the inception of Toyota Motor Corporation
- Articulates the basic six-step Kaizen improvement skills pattern taught inside Toyota
- Helps practitioners of Kaizen improve their own skill level and confidence by simplifying concepts and removing any mystery in the process
- Provides homework assignments and a
Trade Review
…What I personally learned from people like Isao Kato and Art Smalley during my Toyota years was that a company’s success largely can be attributed to total employee involvement in daily Kaizen. This difference is critical when compared to traditional Western manufacturing companies. Team members in Toyota working with improvement tools, involvement opportunities, and a structured process constantly delivered amazing results that surpassed my expectations. This book represents a model for understanding Kaizen inside Toyota and the skills required to analyze basic processes and drive improvement.—Russ Scaffede, former V.P. of manufacturing, Toyota Motor Manufacturing
Table of Contents
Foreword, 1. Introduction, 2. Background of Kaizen in Toyota, 3. Introduction to Kaizen in Toyota, 4. Step 1: Discover Improvement Potential, 5. Step 2: Analyze Current Methods, 6. Step 3: Generate Original Ideas, 7. Step 4: Develop an Implementation Plan, 8. Step 5: Implement the Plan, 9. Step 6: Evaluate the New Method, 10. Summary, Appendix 1: Ten Areas to Investigate for Operational Improvement, Appendix 2: Forms and Instructions, Index, About the Author
