--- title: What is Kaizen? An introduction to the definitions and tools. description: "Kaizen is the Japanese word for \"continual improvement \", and a key lean tool that improves quality, productivity, safety & culture in the workplace." --- - [**PRO**QIS.com](https://www.proqis.com/) - [**PRO**QIS DIGITAL](http://www.proqisdigital.com/) - [**Careers PRO**QIS.com](https://proqis.com/careers) - [Get in Touch](http://proqis.com/contact) - [BTOES Annual Conference](http://btoes.com/) - [Follow us @BTOESInsights](https://twitter.com/BTOESInsights) - - - - [BTOESInsights](https://twitter.com/BTOESInsights) [![Subscribe](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/480025/5d873dce-ed40-4bb4-a155-8f9b6a7167d5.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/480025/5d873dce-ed40-4bb4-a155-8f9b6a7167d5) - [Home](https://insights.btoes.com) - [BTOES Annual Flagship Conference](https://btoes.com/home) - [BTOES Awards](https://btoesawards.com/) ## Proqis Digital Virtual Conference Series View our schedule of industry leading free to attend virtual conferences. Each a premier gathering of industry thought leaders and experts sharing key solutions to current challenges. [View Schedule of Events](https://insights.btoes.com/virtual-conference-page) ## Webinars Delivered by Progressive Thought-Leaders   [Start Learning Today](https://insights.btoes.com/webinars) ## Watch On-Demand Recordings For Free Watch On-Demand Recording - Access all sessions from progressive thought leaders **free** of charge  from our industry leading virtual conferences. [Watch On-Demand Recordings For Free](https://insights.btoes.com/ondemand-business-page) ## BTOES From Home - On-Demand The premier Business Transformation & Operational Excellence Conference. Watch sessions on-demand for free. Use code: BFH1120 [Watch On-Demand](https://insights.btoes.com/bfh-ondemand-hub-page) ## **Best-In-Class Training** Delivered by the industry's most progressive thought leaders from the world's top brands. Start learning today! [View All Courses Now](https://insights.proqistraininginstitute.com/) [![](https://insights.btoes.com/hubfs/BTOES%20top%20banner-1.png)](https://btoes.com/) [![](https://insights.btoes.com/hubfs/BTOES%20Awards%20top%20banner.png)](https://btoesawards.com/) # What is Kaizen Kaizen - (改善) - is the Japanese word for "continual improvement ", and a key lean manufacturing tool that improves quality, productivity, safety & culture in the workplace. ## **The Global State of Operational Excellence: Critical Challenges & Future Trends** 130 pages of the most comprehensive study of critical challenges and future trends within Operational Excellence. ## [![RESEARCH REPORT 20212022](https://insights.btoes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/RESEARCH%20REPORT%2020212022.png?width=282&name=RESEARCH%20REPORT%2020212022.png)](https://insights.btoes.com/download-research-report-2018/19-the-global-state-of-operational-excellence-critical-challenges-future-trends)   ![Kaizen Definition](https://insights.btoes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202017-08-13%2021.13.21.png?width=640&name=Screenshot%202017-08-13%2021.13.21.png "Kaizen Definition") *Image credit: [Fuchs Electronics](https://www.linkedin.com/company-beta/10569856/)* ## **What is Kaizen? The Definition of Kaizen** One of the most important tenets of kaizen is that [big results come from many small changes accumulated over time](https://uk.kaizen.com/consulting/process-improvement-lean-project.html). Continuous, incremental changes that take at every level from the shop floor to the c-level are credited for the success of Kaizen 'events'. ***READ MORE: [Our Top 10 Kaizen Books](https://insights.btoes.com/business-transformation-opex/lists/the-best-10-kaizen-books)***  Essentially, Kaizen is the principle of continuous improvement, within a paradigm of some key guiding principles, including: - **Good processes bring good results** - **Take action to contain and correct root causes of problems** - **Go see for yourself to grasp the current situation - or, 'Going to Gemba'** - **Speaking with data, managing with facts** - **Working as a team**   **[Check out: What is Lean?](https://insights.btoes.com/what-is-lean)** | ## DOWNLOAD WHITE PAPER BRIEFING: ## Has Your Continuous Improvement Program Gone from the Five Whys to Why Bother? ### By Bob Dean and Keith Yeater, TBM Consulting | [![Kaizen definition in business ](https://insights.btoes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202017-08-13%2021.21.45.png?width=630&name=Screenshot%202017-08-13%2021.21.45.png "Kaizen definition in business ")](https://insights.btoes.com/business-transformation-operational-excellence/premium-content/why-bother-continuous-improvement) | | --- | --- | ## How can Kaizen Work with Lean? Kaizen works by [reducing waste](https://insights.btoes.com/resources/what-is-lean-definition-tools-and-examples), or 'muda' and eliminating work processes that are too complex or difficult - 'muri'. As a lean business tool, **Kaizen puts emphasis on success occuring only when *all* employees look for areas to improve** and providing suggestions, based on their own observations and experience. For this to work, a culture must be created within the organization that all suggestions are welcome,  and that there will be **no negative consequences for participating.** Instead, employees are encouraged for suggesting changes that improve the workplace. Workers become more confident and invested in improving the company. In turn, they become leaders that continually look for areas that can be improved. ## [WATCH NOW: A Systematic Approach to Creating a Culture of Structured Problem Solving](https://insights.btoes.com/video-presentations/a-systematic-approach-to-creating-a-culture-of-structured-problem-solving) [![Screenshot 2017-08-02 11.34.43.png](https://insights.btoes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202017-08-02%2011.34.43.png?width=488&name=Screenshot%202017-08-02%2011.34.43.png)](https://insights.btoes.com/video-presentations/a-systematic-approach-to-creating-a-culture-of-structured-problem-solving) **About the Video Presentation:** Key Learning Takeaways include: - **Systems govern behavior; behaviors create a culture** - **Define what a system is and how one gets created** - **Identify what systems you need to in order to do structured problem solving** - **How is this different from what we do now and what will it lead to?** [***Watch Mustafa's Interview on BTOES Insights***](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqUm5c-o64w) ***![Kaizen Definition - What is Kaizen?](https://insights.btoes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202017-08-13%2021.30.04.png?width=1024&name=Screenshot%202017-08-13%2021.30.04.png "Kaizen Definition - What is Kaizen?")*** ## 'Going to Gemba' and Kaizen Gemba is a philosophy in Lean that is hugely prominent in Kaizen - **the principle that expresses the importance of going to the shop floor**. It reminds leadership within a company practising Lean to visit the plant floor, and gain understanding of the 'real action'. Going to Gemba provides leadership with an understanding of the real processes and day-to-day undertaking of Lean principles. ## The Benefits of Lean Kaizen Much like with Lean and Six Sigma, some of the expected benefits are identified as: - **Increased productivity** - **Improved quality** - **Better safety practises** - **Improved customer satisfaction** - **Lower costs** As well as these practical benefits, there are a number of 'soft benefits' that Kaizen can use to help improve the overall culture of the company and increase employee retention: - **Improved communication and cooperation** - **Improved morale and employee satisfaction** - **Greater personal investment in the company among employees and management.** ***READ MORE: [Our Top 10 Kaizen Books](https://insights.btoes.com/business-transformation-opex/lists/the-best-10-kaizen-books)***  # Kaizen Articles on BTOES Insights [![BTOES AWARDS LONG Graphic](https://insights.btoes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BTOES%20AWARDS%20LONG%20-%20NO%20DATE%20(1).png?width=1920&name=BTOES%20AWARDS%20LONG%20-%20NO%20DATE%20(1).png "BTOES AWARDS LONG Graphic")](https://btoesawards.com/) [![1-51](https://insights.btoes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/1-51.png?width=1920&name=1-51.png "1-51")](https://btoes.com/) [![BTOES Awards Logo Base (5)-2](https://insights.btoes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BTOES%20Awards%20Logo%20Base%20(5)-2.png?width=1200&name=BTOES%20Awards%20Logo%20Base%20(5)-2.png "BTOES Awards Logo Base (5)-2")](https://insights.btoes.com/operational-excellence-assembly) [![BTOES Awards Logo Base (4)-2](https://insights.btoes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BTOES%20Awards%20Logo%20Base%20(4)-2.png?width=1200&name=BTOES%20Awards%20Logo%20Base%20(4)-2.png "BTOES Awards Logo Base (4)-2")](https://insights.btoes.com/business-transformation-assembly) [![GTW Conference](https://insights.btoes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GTW%20Conference.png?width=741&name=GTW%20Conference.png "GTW Conference")](https://insights.btoes.com/virtual-conference-page) [![RESEARCH REPORT NO DATE](https://insights.btoes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/RESEARCH%20REPORT%20NO%20DATE.png?width=1920&name=RESEARCH%20REPORT%20NO%20DATE.png "RESEARCH REPORT NO DATE")](https://insights.btoes.com/download-research-report-2018/19-the-global-state-of-operational-excellence-critical-challenges-future-trends) [![2-54](https://insights.btoes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2-54.png?width=1920&name=2-54.png "2-54")](https://insights.btoes.com/business-transformation-operational-excellence/premium-video-content) [![Proqis Live Conferences](https://insights.btoes.com/hubfs/Proqis%20Live%20Conferences.png "Proqis Live Conferences")](http://proqis.com/events-forward-schedule) [![Untitled design-1](https://insights.btoes.com/hubfs/Untitled%20design-1.png "Untitled design-1")](https://insights.btoes.com/media-pack-form-page) [![portallogo\_copyblue\_no\_background.png](https://insights.btoes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BTOESsavedategraphic/portallogo_copyblue_no_background.png?width=585&height=101&name=portallogo_copyblue_no_background.png "portallogo_copyblue_no_background.png")](https://insights.btoes.com) Welcome to BTOES Insights, the content portal for Business Transformation & Operational Excellence opinions, reports & news. **[Submit an Article](https://insights.btoes.com/operational-excellence-insights/form/contribute-to-btoes-insights)** ## Follow Us - - - - [mailto:Info@proqis.com](mailto:Info@proqis.com) - ## Subscribe to our Free Newsletter *Insights from the most progressive thought leaders delivered to your inbox.* Subscribe Now ## Subscribe to our Newsletter Insights from the world's foremost thought leaders delivered to your inbox. ### Be A Hero! Empower Your Network Being a hero is all about creating value for others. Please invite up to 5 people in your network to attend this premier virtual conference, and they will receive an invitation to attend. If it’s easier for you, please enter your email address below, and click the button, and we will send you the invitation email that you can forward to relevant people in your network. [![BTOES AWARD - NO DATE](https://insights.btoes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported%20sitepage%20images/BTOES%20AWARD%20-%20NO%20DATE.png?width=281&name=BTOES%20AWARD%20-%20NO%20DATE.png "BTOES AWARD - NO DATE")](https://btoesawards.com/) [![Book of the Night ](https://insights.btoes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Book%20of%20the%20Night%20.png?width=750&name=Book%20of%20the%20Night%20.png "Book of the Night ")](https://insights.btoes.com/2024-btoes-awards-finalists-pillar-page) [![25486-Awards-Banner-300x300-1-amend](https://insights.btoes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/25486-Awards-Banner-300x300-1-amend.png?width=300&name=25486-Awards-Banner-300x300-1-amend.png "25486-Awards-Banner-300x300-1-amend")](https://btoesawards.com/awards-brochure-form-page) [![300x300](https://insights.btoes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/300x300.png?width=300&name=300x300.png "300x300")](https://btoes.com/sponsorship-brochure-form-page) ## BTOES [Learn More](https://btoes.com/home) ## BTOES Awards [Learn More](https://btoesawards.com/) ## Proqis Digital Virtual Conference Series View our schedule of industry leading free to attend virtual conferences. Each a premier gathering of industry thought leaders and experts sharing key solutions to current challenges. [View Schedule of Events](https://insights.btoes.com/virtual-conference-page) ## Webinars Delivered by Progressive Thought-Leaders   [Start Learning Today](https://insights.btoes.com/webinars) ## Watch On-Demand Recordings For Free Watch On-Demand Recording - Access all sessions from progressive thought leaders free of charge from our industry leading virtual conferences. [Watch On-Demand Recordings For Free](https://insights.btoes.com/ondemand-business-page) ## **Best-In-Class Training** Delivered by the industry's most progressive thought leaders from the world's top brands. Start learning today! [View All Courses Now](https://insights.proqistraininginstitute.com/) ## BTOES From Home - On-Demand The premier Business Transformation & Operational Excellence Conference. Watch sessions on-demand for free. Use code: BFH1120 [Watch On-Demand](https://insights.btoes.com/bfh-ondemand-hub-page) ## BTOES Awards [Learn More](https://btoesawards.com/) [![Book of the Night ](https://insights.btoes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Book%20of%20the%20Night%20.png?width=750&name=Book%20of%20the%20Night%20.png "Book of the Night ")](https://insights.btoes.com/2024-btoes-awards-finalists-pillar-page) ## Follow Us - - - - [mailto:Info@proqis.com](mailto:Info@proqis.com) - ## Subscribe to our Free Newsletter *Insights from the most progressive thought leaders delivered to your inbox.* Subscribe Now ## Subscribe to our Newsletter Insights from the world's foremost thought leaders delivered to your inbox. ### Thank you for submitting the form. You have been subscribed Be A Hero! Empower Your Network Being a hero is all about creating value for others. Please invite up to 5 people in your network to also access our newsletter. They will receive an invitation and an option to subscribe.  If it’s easier for you, please enter your email address below, and click the button, and we will send you the invitation email that you can forward to relevant people in your network. ## Featured Blogs [![](https://insights.btoes.com/hubfs/download%20-%202020-11-27T153327.937.png)](https://insights.btoes.com/btoes-from-home-speaker-spotlight-improve-employee-productivity-during-and-post-covid-by-leveraging-process-management-and-automation-technology) #### [BTOES From Home - SPEAKER ...](https://insights.btoes.com/btoes-from-home-speaker-spotlight-improve-employee-productivity-during-and-post-covid-by-leveraging-process-management-and-automation-technology) Courtesy of Nintex Pty's Paul Hsu, below is a transcript of his speaking session on 'Improve employee productivity during and post-COVID by ... [![](https://insights.btoes.com/hubfs/output-onlinepngtools%20(4).png)](https://insights.btoes.com/2020-award-finalist-spotlight-hp-inc.-best-achievement-in-operational-excellence-to-deliver-digital-transformation-finance-0-0) #### [HP's 2020 AWARD FINALIST CASE ...](https://insights.btoes.com/2020-award-finalist-spotlight-hp-inc.-best-achievement-in-operational-excellence-to-deliver-digital-transformation-finance-0-0) Read this article about HP, Best Achievement in Operational Excellence to deliver Digital Transformation, selected by the independent judging panel, ... [![](https://insights.btoes.com/hubfs/d1462b99-c7a4-4ee0-8f2a-86408b198b2e-your_corporate_logo_jpeg_png_tiff_-BMO-White_E.png)](https://insights.btoes.com/2020-award-finalist-spotlight-bmo-financial-group-best-achievement-in-operational-excellence-to-deliver-digital-transformation-bmo-0-0-0) #### [BMO Financial Group's 2020 ...](https://insights.btoes.com/2020-award-finalist-spotlight-bmo-financial-group-best-achievement-in-operational-excellence-to-deliver-digital-transformation-bmo-0-0-0) Read this article about BMO Financial Group, one of our finalists, in the category Best Achievement in Operational Excellence to deliver Digital ... [![](https://insights.btoes.com/hubfs/24d55cfe-5a47-4e09-bcd0-2511f08d0abe-your_corporate_logo_jpeg_png_tiff_-Cisco_Logo_no_TM_Sky_Blue-RGB.png)](https://insights.btoes.com/2020-award-finalist-spotlight-cisco-best-achievement-of-operational-excellence-in-internet-education-media-technology-0-1) #### [Cisco's 2020 AWARD FINALIST ...](https://insights.btoes.com/2020-award-finalist-spotlight-cisco-best-achievement-of-operational-excellence-in-internet-education-media-technology-0-1) Read this article about Cisco, one of our finalists, in the category Best Achievement of Operational Excellence in Internet, Education, Media & ... [More Blogs](https://insights.btoes.com/) [![24097-Proqis-Media-Pack-Banner-300x300](https://insights.btoes.com/hubfs/24097-Proqis-Media-Pack-Banner-300x300.png "24097-Proqis-Media-Pack-Banner-300x300")](https://insights.btoes.com/hubfs/24097%20Proqis%20Digital%20Media%20Pack.pdf) [![Copy%20of%2030%20OPEX%20VIDEO%20PRESENTATIONS](https://insights.btoes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Copy%20of%2030%20OPEX%20VIDEO%20PRESENTATIONS.png?width=300&height=300&name=Copy%20of%2030%20OPEX%20VIDEO%20PRESENTATIONS.png "Copy%20of%2030%20OPEX%20VIDEO%20PRESENTATIONS")](https://insights.btoes.com/business-transformation-operational-excellence/premium-video-content) [![LINKEDIN%20AWARDS%20GRAPHIC%20(1)](https://insights.btoes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/LINKEDIN%20AWARDS%20GRAPHIC%20(1).png?width=300&height=300&name=LINKEDIN%20AWARDS%20GRAPHIC%20(1).png "LINKEDIN%20AWARDS%20GRAPHIC%20(1)")](http://btoesawards.com/access-2019-awards-finalists-case-studies) [![504x672](https://insights.btoes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/504x672.jpg?width=300&height=400&name=504x672.jpg "504x672")](https://insights.btoes.com/download-research-report-2018/19-the-global-state-of-operational-excellence-critical-challenges-future-trends) [![BTOES%20AWARD%20-%20NO%20DATE](https://insights.btoes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BTOES%20AWARD%20-%20NO%20DATE.png?width=281&height=300&name=BTOES%20AWARD%20-%20NO%20DATE.png "BTOES%20AWARD%20-%20NO%20DATE")](http://btoes.com/about-the-awards) [![BTOES%20UNIVERSAL%20GRAPHIC%20-%20NO%20DATE](https://insights.btoes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BTOES%20UNIVERSAL%20GRAPHIC%20-%20NO%20DATE.png?width=300&height=300&name=BTOES%20UNIVERSAL%20GRAPHIC%20-%20NO%20DATE.png "BTOES%20UNIVERSAL%20GRAPHIC%20-%20NO%20DATE")](http://btoes.com/home) [![52aaf836-c79c-4e6c-93bf-88045ced0f6f](https://insights.btoes.com/hs-fs/hub/480025/hub_generated/resized/52aaf836-c79c-4e6c-93bf-88045ced0f6f.png?width=300&height=96&name=52aaf836-c79c-4e6c-93bf-88045ced0f6f.png "52aaf836-c79c-4e6c-93bf-88045ced0f6f")](https://insights.btoes.com/subscribe?hsCtaTracking=8614b260-96d8-498d-8b03-87512ac4ed3c%7Cf6c2d9e6-4a1d-4646-887c-5262bcae0e36) [![btoes19](https://insights.btoes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/btoes19.png?width=300&height=300&name=btoes19.png "btoes19")](http://btoes.com/about) - [![Intelligent BPM Systems: Impact & Opportunity](https://insights.btoes.com/hubfs/futstrat_book.png "Intelligent BPM Systems: Impact & Opportunity")](https://insights.btoes.com/business-transformation-operational-excellence/premium-contributor-content/intelligent-bpm-systems) - [![Surviving\_the\_IT\_Talent\_deficit.png](https://insights.btoes.com/hubfs/Blog/Previews/Surviving_the_IT_Talent_deficit.png "Surviving_the_IT_Talent_deficit.png")](https://insights.btoes.com/surviving-the-it-talent-deficit-how-to-come-out-on-top) - [![Six Sigma's Best Kept Secret: Motorola & The Malcolm Baldrige Awards](https://insights.btoes.com/hubfs/Blog/Previews/SIXSIGMASBESTKEPTSECRETPREVIEW.png "Six Sigma's Best Kept Secret: Motorola & The Malcolm Baldrige Awards")](https://insights.btoes.com/business-transformation-operational-excellence/premium-contributor-content/best-kept-secret) - [![The Value-Switch for Digitalization Initiatives: Business Process Management](https://insights.btoes.com/hubfs/Blog/Previews/Global_Research_Study_Results.png "The Value-Switch for Digitalization Initiatives: Business Process Management")](https://insights.btoes.com/the-value-switch-for-digitalization-initiatives-bpm) - [![Process of Process Management: Strategy Execution in a Digital World](https://insights.btoes.com/hubfs/Blog/Previews/PoPm_preview_cover.png "Process of Process Management: Strategy Execution in a Digital World")](https://insights.btoes.com/business-transformation-operational-excellence/premium-contributor-content/process-of-process-management) ### Popular Content [Top 10 Books on Business Process Management](https://insights.btoes.com/top-10-books-on-business-process-management) Oct 13, 2023 [Top 10 Books on Operational Excellence](https://insights.btoes.com/top-10-books-on-operational-excellence-attending-btoes) Oct 05, 2023 [Top 10 Books on Continuous Improvement](https://insights.btoes.com/top-10-books-on-continuous-improvement-attending-btoes) Oct 05, 2023 [Understanding the Major Features of the US Free Enterprise System](https://insights.btoes.com/understanding-the-major-features-of-the-us-free-enterprise-system) Dec 21, 2023 [Top 10 Books on Business Transformation](https://insights.btoes.com/top-10-books-on-business-transformation) Oct 05, 2023 *BTOES Insights is created in partnership with Business Transformation & Operational Excellence World Summit (BTOES). The Industry's Biggest & Best Senior-Level Operational Excellence Summit.* *[To learn more about BTOES, click here](http://btoes.com/).*  ©All Rights Reserved BTOES