# Kaizen

> Improve processes through small continuous changes, waste reduction, and PDCA cycles. Use when optimizing workflows, retrospectives, team operations, quality problems, or incremental product-delivery improvements; avoid for visualizing flow only, root-cause analysis only, or large strategic redesign.

- Skill: `flpbalada/kaizen` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add flpbalada/kaizen`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/flpbalada/kaizen/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: flpbalada (https://skillmd.com/u/flpbalada)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/flpbalada/kaizen

---


# Kaizen

Continuous small improvement.
Improve process with small tests, real observation, and measurement.

## Goal

Improve one process.
Prove impact with before/after measures.
Standardize the win.

## Rules

- Go to Gemba: observe real work.
- Blame process, not people.
- Involve daily workers.
- Fix one problem at a time.
- Prefer small tests over big redesigns.
- Measure baseline and result.
- Standardize successful changes.

## Waste

Use `TIMWOOD`:

- Transport
- Inventory
- Motion
- Waiting
- Overproduction
- Overprocessing
- Defects

## Flow

1. Define measurable problem.
2. Observe real workflow.
3. Map steps, handoffs, waits, and rework.
4. Identify waste.
5. Pick highest-impact small change.
6. Run PDCA: Plan, Do, Check, Act.
7. Document new baseline.

## Resources

- [Lean Production: Kaizen](https://www.leanproduction.com/kaizen/)
- [Toyota Production System](https://global.toyota/en/company/vision-and-philosophy/production-system/)
- Masaaki Imai — *Gemba Kaizen* (book)
- [Kaizen Institute](https://www.kaizen.com/)

## Output

```md
## Kaizen Analysis

Process: [name]
Problem: [measurable problem]
Customer value: [what matters]

Current state:
- [metric]: [baseline]

Gemba findings:
- [observation]
- [waste]

Root causes:
- [cause]

Improvement test:
- Change: [small change]
- Owner: [name]
- Due: [date]
- Expected result: [target metric]

PDCA result:
- Before: [baseline]
- After: [result]
- Decision: [standardize / revise / stop]
```