Who is the training suitable for?
The training is suitable for people who want to learn how to facilitate teams and achieve results using Lean and specifically the Kaizen methodology. The training is also suitable for more experienced Lean users who need additional experience in running Kaizen workshops, but previous experience in facilitation or Lean is not necessary. After the training, participants will be ready to run Kaizen workshops in their own organisation according to a detailed plan developed during the training.
Read more about the training and the experiences of the participants below. Click on the link at the end of the introduction to register for the training.
To read more about what Kaizen means, check out our blog Kaizen: What does it mean?
Content of the Training
The training is a practical package of Lean thinking and Kaizen facilitation, where theory and practical training alternate during the training days. The first 2 days of the training are built around a large Lean simulation. As the simulation progresses, participants will learn more about Lean, Kaizen and facilitation tools and can practice them immediately in practice. On the third day, we will learn about facilitation in even more depth in the Facilitator Carousel we have developed.
- Lean Thinking and Kaizen: the Lean principles (Value, Value Chain, Flow, Push vs. Pull and Pursuit of Perfection) and Lean improvement in stages (Kaizen Event), as well as Lean tools and concepts that are essential for running a Kaizen workshop (e.g. 5S, Value Stream Mapping "VSM", Waste Analysis, Bottlenecks, Pacing, Process Balancing, WIP, Kanban, Process Cycle Improvement, Poka-Yoke, A3 and Visual Process Control).
- Facilitation: different facilitation techniques, the role of the facilitator at different stages and in different situations, motivating the team, communication at different levels, problem solving and the most common approaches to achieve results quickly.
- Kaizen simulation: application of Lean and facilitation techniques, analysis of the simulation and lessons learned.
- Facilitator Carousel: We will practice facilitation in more depth in the so-called Facilitator Carousel, where we learn to facilitate by doing, experiencing, reflecting in a small group and learning from others.
Program
Day 1:
09.00 Opening and morning coffee
09.30 Lean Thinking I: Basic principles of Lean thinking, Lean model for process improvement, objectives, description and analysis of the current situation
- The basics of lean: what, why, when?.
- 5-step approach and different Lean tools, how to improve your own processes
- Defining the objective of a Lean improvement project and defining the project scope
- Description of the process value chain and process waste analysis
- Video example of process improvement video
11.30 Lunch
12.15 Simulation, part 1
- Participants will practice together the Lean Thinking I lessons of the morning: process status, performance, process description and value stream analysis.
14.00 Coffee break
14.15 Lean thinking II: Process improvement
- "Continuous flow" process improvement (e.g. bottleneck analysis, Work in Process, pacing, process balancing)
- How to improve the process through Pull (e.g. Kanban cards, measuring cycle efficiency and process management)
15.15 Simulation, part 2
- Applying Lean Thinking II in practice for process improvement: continuous flow creation and Pull.
16.00 Closing
Day 2:
09.00 Recap exercise
09.30 Simulation, part 3:
- Testing and continuous improvement of improvements
10.30 Lean thinking III: Striving for perfection
- Creating a culture of continuous improvement (eliminating the potential for errors through "Mistake Proofing", measuring and monitoring process performance, visual management, Lean in day-to-day management)
11.30 Lunch
12.15 Kaizen
- Lean fast: Kaizen - results in a few days
- Kaizen example: How to improve lead time in an office environment by 90% in five days while improving job and customer satisfaction
14.00 Coffee break
14.15 Lean in your work environment
- Interactive session on how to apply the training concepts concretely in the participants' own companies
15.30 Preparation for the Facilitator Carousel on Day 3
- Introduction and assignment for the so-called Facilitator Carousel, where participants learn to facilitate by doing, experiencing, reflecting in a small group and learning from each other.
16.00 Closing
Day 3:
09.00 Facilitator carousel, preparation
- Participants will prepare, under the guidance of the trainer, how to facilitate successfully in different situations and will make a detailed plan for the facilitation exercise at the end of the day.
10.00 Facilitator carousel, part 1-3
- Practical Training & Advice & Guidance
11.30 Lunch
12.15 Facilitator carousel, part 4-6
- Practical Training & Advice & Guidance
14.00 Coffee break
14.15 Facilitator carousel, parts 7-8
- Practical Training & Advice & Guidance
15.30 Summary and award of Kaizen certificates
16.00 Closing
The participants are provided with training material in a digital learning environment, which also includes a guide for facilitating Lean workshops after the training.
