5 Japanese Techniques To Boost Productivity

1. Kaizen

Kaizen is a philosophy that focuses on continuous, incremental improvements in all aspects of life, particularly in the workplace. The core idea is to involve all employees, from top management to the shop floor workers, in suggesting and implementing small, ongoing positive changes.

2. 5S System

The 5S system is a workplace organization method that uses a list of five Japanese words: Seiri (Sort), Seiton (Set in order), Seiso (Shine), Seiketsu (Standardize), and Shitsuke (Sustain). This system aims to create a clean, organized, and efficient work environment.

3. Kanban (Visual Workflow Management)

Kanban is a visual tool to manage and optimize workflow, often represented by a board with cards and columns. Each card represents a task, and columns represent different stages of the workflow.

4. Poka-Yoke (Error Proofing)

Poka-Yoke is a technique designed to prevent errors by designing systems and processes that make it difficult or impossible to make mistakes. It focuses on creating fail-safes and checks to avoid defects and enhance quality.

5. Hoshin Kanri (Policy Deployment)

Hoshin Kanri, or Policy Deployment, is a strategic planning process that ensures that the company’s strategic goals drive progress and action at every level within the organization. It aligns goals with operations to achieve consistent and comprehensive results.