Kaizen, a Japanese term meaning “continuous improvement,” is a lean management philosophy focused on incremental and continuous enhancements in processes, quality, and efficiency. It encourages organizations to make small, consistent improvements rather than relying on one-time, large-scale changes.
In project management
Kaizen is particularly valuable in Agile and Lean methodologies, where teams continuously refine workflows, eliminate inefficiencies, and improve performance. Kaizen is not limited to production or operations—it applies to all aspects of business, including leadership, decision-making, and customer service.
A real-world example of Kaizen is seen in Toyota’s production system, where employees at all levels are encouraged to suggest improvements in assembly line processes to enhance productivity. Organizations that adopt Kaizen foster a culture of innovation, teamwork, and adaptability, leading to better long-term project success.