It is impossible to improve any process until it is standardized. If the process is shifting from here to there, then any improvement will just be one more variation that is occasionally used and mostly ignored. One must standardize, and… — Masaaki Imai Copy Share Image
There are various non-statistical tools that have been typically developed by lean companies, notably by Toyota for minimizing variability in production, such as standardization,… — Masaaki Imai Copy Share Image
Where there is no standard, there can be no improvement. For these reasons, standards are the basis for both maintenance and improvement — Masaaki Imai Copy Share Image
I have a theory that among the large Western companies (mostly American) the higher an executive is promoted, the more wisdom is lost and… — Masaaki Imai Copy Share Image
I believe that management should focus on two particular areas. One is Gemba (shop floor) and the other is customer (not the shareholder). — Masaaki Imai Copy Share Image
Japanese management practices succeed simply because they are good management practices. This success has little to do with cultural factors. And the lack of… — Masaaki Imai Copy Share Image
The message of the Kaizen strategy is that not a day should go by without some kind of improvement being made somewhere in the… — Masaaki Imai Copy Share Image
To assure the prosperity of a firm should be a long-term strategy and the turnover of key managers should be taken into account from… — Masaaki Imai Copy Share Image
Under the lean system, any tools which are required for solving problems are used. — Masaaki Imai Copy Share Image
Control charts are one of the statistical tools for solving quality related problems. — Masaaki Imai Copy Share Image
The standard is not writ on the stone. The definition of the standard is that it is the best way to do the job… — Masaaki Imai Copy Share Image
I am beginning to see a large-scale introduction of various management tools, philosophies and practices in the service sectors and have a high hope… — Masaaki Imai Copy Share Image
