ABSTRACT
The Shingo approach to continuous improvement is not a tool or list of tools but it returns to the original Toyota Production Systems (TPS) approach, which was heavily focused on the cultural approach to establishing momentum towards enterprise excellence. The Shingo Model recognizes that tools are only half of the formula for creating an enterprise excellence model focused on continuous improvement. The Shingo Institute was established in 1988 by Utah State University and is named after Shigeo Shingo. Shigeo Shingo was one of the primary contributors to TPS and worked closely with Toyota executives, such as Taiichi Ohno, in the development of Lean tools and principles. The Shingo Prize, initiated in 1988, was established to recognize organizations that have achieved high levels of operational excellence. The Shingo Prize, which now focuses not only on operational excellence but also enterprise excellence as a whole, has expanded to offer a Shingo Research Award and a Shingo Publication Award.
