Step 3: Generate Original Ideas

The first two steps of Kaizen represent much of the heavy lifting in terms of the analytical work that has to be conducted for developing skills or making improvements. The next part of the Kaizen process is Step 3, generate original ideas, and involves synthesis as much as or more than analysis (Figure 6.1). Subsequently, this phase is quite different in terms of technique as well as approach when compared to the two previous steps. While the act of analysis is generally well defined and even somewhat prescriptive, the opposite is true for generating original ideas. The best ideas sometimes seem to come from nowhere. Occasionally, the act of analysis itself generates automatic ideas for improvement. When insights are not developed during the analysis phase, however, creative thinking needs to occur to generate potential solutions. In this chapter, we share some techniques for stimulating original ideas and synthesizing your solutions.