Kaizen Event Team Roles

Overview
In this module were going to introduce some key kaizen team member roles as we prepare
to learn more about planning and executing successful kaizen events in future videos.
But before we go any further, I want to explain that the coming modules of this course are
meant to teach you and your organization how to plan, prepare, and execute a kaizen event.
In other words, were going to offer some tips for setting things up for success.
Now, with this said, Id like to encourage you to listen to what we have to say while also
thinking about how youll adapt and roll this out into your organization.
To be sure, theres more than one way to plan and execute a successful kaizen event so dont
be afraid to experiment with the techniques we explore in this course.
OK, lets get started by learning about some key kaizen event roles.

Kaizen Team Leader

The first role is the kaizen team leader. This
persons main responsibility is to facilitate the
event while also developing people.
The kaizen team leader will also manage the
activities of the kaizen team while also ensuring
the kaizen team is using the right tool for the
job.
The kaizen team leader will also help the team stay focused on the objective of the event.
Finally, the team leader will help the team prepare for all event report outs which well learn
more about later in the course.

Process Owner
The next role is the process owner. This is the person responsible for the area the event is
scheduled in. This might be the production manager in a factory or a nurse responsible for
that section of the hospital. No matter whom the process owner is they must be an integral
part of the kaizen team.

Senior Manager
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Next, the senior manager of the facility must be involved in the planning and execution of
the event. This might be the general manager of the facility or the senior vice president of the
office. Again, like the process owner, this senior leader must be involved in the planning and
execution of the event.

Kaizen Coach
Next up is the kaizen coach. This persons
job is to teach and coach continuous
improvement techniques during the event while
also challenging the team by asking things like
why? and what if? over and over.
The kaizen coach will also help the team
remove major obstacles and barriers by
working closely with the team leader, process
owner, and senior manager.
The kaizen coach will also serve as the team leaders support system before, during, and after
the event. The kaizen coach can either be an external consultant or an internal expert. But
we strongly encourage companies to have a coach since the role of team leader and kaizen
coach are not the same.

Kaizen Team Members

Finally, the last and arguably most important roles of the kaizen event are the actual team
members which will include both direct and indirect labor. Well discuss how to select a
strong kaizen team in an upcoming module.
Now, depending on the way your organization is setup you may decide to add additional key
kaizen event roles such a co-team leader who works closely with the kaizen team leader. This
is also an excellent way to develop future team leaders.

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