Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

kaizen

noun

/ˈkaɪ.zɛn/

Definition

Kaizen is a Japanese term meaning ‘change for the better’ or ‘continuous improvement.’ It refers to activities that continuously improve all functions and involve all employees from the CEO to the factory workers.

Examples

The company’s success was largely due to its commitment to kaizen principles in manufacturing.
Implementing kaizen in the workplace led to a noticeable increase in employee morale.
Kaizen is often practiced in lean manufacturing to eliminate waste.

Meaning

Kaizen is about making small, incremental improvements in processes, products, or services over time to enhance productivity, efficiency, and quality.