Models for Continuous Improvement

What is Kaizen?

• A Japanese philosophy that focuses on continuous improvement

• A quality circle that relies on small step changes

• A tool used to identify the root cause of a problem

• A business culture based on respect for people

What does Kaizen rely on?

• Large-scale changes

• Everyday ideas from the workforce

• External quality management systems

• Blaming individuals for problems

What is the purpose of the Ishikawa diagram in Kaizen?

• To identify the problem

• To review and discuss each cause in detail

• To implement suggested changes

• To develop solutions and arrive at the required outcome

What is TQM?

• A business culture based on Japanese philosophy

• An internal continuous process of reducing errors

• A tool used to eliminate waste and stimulate improvements

• An external quality management system

What is required for TQM implementation?

• Committed leadership

• Customer complaints

• Overproduction of goods

• Unnecessary movement of people

What is ISO 9001?

• An internal quality management system

• A tool used to support TQM

• An internationally recognised external quality management system

• A certification for Kaizen implementation

What is the purpose of combining TQM and ISO 9001?

• To address cultural differences

• To develop quality management programs

• To ensure international acceptance of products and services

• To eliminate errors and defects

Which of the following is NOT one of the eight wastes that Lean/Agile/Six Sigma aims to eliminate?

• Defects

• Overproduction

• Waiting

• Extra fields in forms

What is the focus of TQM?

• Blaming individuals for problems

• Improving the quality of outputs

• Implementing gradual incremental changes

• Eliminating waste to stimulate improvements

What is the role of employees in Kaizen?

• To set up quality circles

• To rely on large step changes

• To focus on external quality management systems

• To implement suggested changes and sustain improvements