The Kaizen Event Planner: Achieving Rapid Improvement in Office, Service, and Technical Environments

• Highlights the key success factors for holding Kaizen Events in non-manufacturing environments
• Introduces Metrics-Based Process Mapping - a tactical-level mapping tool that enables process designers to make effective, data-based decisions regarding waste elimination - and measure the success of their improvement efforts

A practical how-to guide, this book takes readers through the ins and outs of planning and executing Kaizen Events in non-manufacturing settings and conducting post-event follow-up to sustain the changes made. The authors provide methods and tools to help build a motivated workforce and lay a foundation for continuous improvement. It is especially designed to assist continuous improvement professionals and leadership within the office areas of manufacturing, the service sector, and knowledge-worker environments Readers will learn how to effectively scope the activity, engage the right people, and facilitate events with measureable results..Their clear, concise presentation allows beginners and experienced practitioners to venture into non-manufacturing environments with comfort and ease.

About the Authors

Karen Martin, Principal Consultant for Karen Martin & Associates, specializes in applying Lean principles and tools in office, service, and technical environments.

She has provided performance improvement support to organizations in a broad range of industries, including: construction, distribution, education, engineering services, financial services, government/military, healthcare, information technology, insurance, manufacturing, oil and gas production, and publishing.

Karen's quality and process orientation evolved from her early career as a scientist (B.S. Microbiology, Pennsylvania State University) and was further developed while serving as the Director of Quality for a healthcare organization that managed healthcare for 22 million Americans. She also served as the Director of the Institute for Quality and Productivity at San Diego State University, where she oversaw the university's Lean Enterprise and Quality Business Practices programs. Her passion for workforce development and implementing change led her to a graduate program in adult learning (M.A. Education, California State University, Bakersfield).

Karen is known for her keen diagnostic skills and ability to lead teams in generating aggressive results. Her broad understanding of operations design, customer value, regulatory issues, and business management stems from her experience building the infrastructure for several start-up operations with triple-digit annual growth. She is an instructor for the University of California, San Diego's Lean Enterprise program and San Diego State University's Advanced Lean program. Karen also serves as an Industry Advisor for the University of San Diego's Industrial Engineering program and is licensed as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist.

Mike Osterling is the President of Osterling Consulting, Inc., a firm that leads organizations on their Lean journey. Mike has played a pivotal role in leading Lean transformations across a broad range of industries including aerospace, automotive, consumer goods, medical products, oil production, pharmaceuticals and construction.

With more than 15 years of management experience abroad, Mike has led and supported Lean implementations in the U.S., Mexico, Australia and Europe. A dynamic leader with proven team-building skills, his hands-on approach consistently delivers significant bottom-line results.

Prior to consulting, Mike played a key role in the Lean transformation at a number of Square D Company's facilities. A founder of San Diego State University's Lean Enterprise Certificate Program, he continues to teach in the program as well as SDSU's Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Program.

Fluent in Spanish, Mike earned his MBA in International Business from San Diego State University and holds a BS in Production and Operations Management. He is a Certified Trainer for the Implementation of Lean Manufacturing through the University of Kentucky, is a Six Sigma Black Belt and is CPIM certified through APICS.