1. BETTER PROCESSES
By Dawn Reed
October 2012

6. 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

7. KAIZEN BIG & SMALL
8Time
Progress
Project-based, new
technology
implementation, new
materials, etc.
Kaizen Idea
Suggestions,
many / small /
daily
Kaizen Blitz, Kaizen Events,
Value-stream based
breakthrough events

8. KAIZEN 10 COMMANDMENTS
9

9. THE PURPOSE OF MAPPING

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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

14. SWIM LANE DIAGRAM

15. 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>