Organizations can maximize their value by using Lean and eliminating waste. The elimination of eight types of wastes can make organization more profitable and satisfy customers more. These are wastes of inventory, transport, motion, waiting, over-production, over-processing, defects and skills/talent. The first seven wastes appear in the manufacturing process itself. Tools and techniques like Six Sigma, Kaizen, 5S, etc. help in getting rid of these seven wastes. Unlike these seven wastes, to eliminate the waste of skills and talent, the Harada method is used.
The main focus of the organizations is on processes than the people working on the processes. After a while, the employees work mechanically and stop taking the ownership of the process and thinking about process improvement. However, if they are more involved in the processes considering it their own and taking pride in their work then this will better the process as people polish their skills.
Monozukuri is the process of producing the best products not only by using technology, but by feeling proud of the work and accomplishing excellence by improving continuously. Hitozukuri, on the other hand, is the process of educating and forming people. It is an ongoing process that facilitates people to mature along with their work to be successful in their fields and skills.Takashi Harada developed the Harada method, which offers a procedure for hitozukuri. The Harada method takes care of the human side of Lean and helps employees to achieve success by recognizing and adopting a task that helps them move forward. The crux of this method is to become self-reliant; the confidence and the potential of individuals to work on their skills to the extent that they become indispensible. It is this self-confidence that will help them use their skills not only for their own development but for that of the organization.
The Harada method leads an individual through five stages of premeditation, personal excellence, goal setting, selfless service, and self-reliance. The three steps defined by the Harada method that teach self-reliance are choosing a goal, developing a timeframe and planning to achieve the goal.
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