Development of QuicKaizen™ technique for productivity execution management for Singapore SMEs

Productivity has been identified as a key strategy by the Singapore government to drive economic growth for the next ten years. Limited resources and time constraints make it difficult for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Singapore to embark on productivity improvement initiatives above their daily operational activities. Hence, a new technique is needed to boost or expedite productivity initiative implementation. Based on the concepts of Lean, Quick Changeover, Single Minute Exchange of Die (SMED) and methods like Kaizen Event planning, the QuicKaizen™ technique was developed. This paper explains what the QuicKaizen™ technique is; its components; and how to use it effectively for productivity execution management. Results show how Singapore SMEs have successfully used the QuicKaizen™ technique to help them achieve their objectives and deliverables.