8 Kaizen Event Templates - Ranked and Reviewed

Kaizen events, also known as Kaizen blitzes or rapid improvement events, are focused, short-term projects aimed at improving specific areas within an organization (such as shipping times). Rooted in the Japanese philosophy of continuous improvement, Kaizen events usually bring together a diverse group from various departments to collaborate on identifying inefficiencies and brainstorming solutions.

These events usually last between a few days to a week and are structured around a specific goal, such as reducing waste, improving workflow, or enhancing quality. Essential to their success is meticulous planning and tracking, which is where Kaizen event templates can help a lot.

A well-designed Kaizen event template serves as a roadmap, guiding teams through each step of the event, from pre-event planning to post-event follow-up. These templates ensure that objectives are clearly defined, roles are assigned, and outcomes are measured. Utilizing templates not only streamlines the process but also ensures consistency and repeatability in future events. Here are eight of the best Kaizen event templates that can significantly enhance the effectiveness of these improvement initiatives:

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1. Learn Lean6Sigma's template 🏆

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This free Microsoft Excel template covers most of the areas you'll need including: Issue tracking, Priority Management and Improvement tracking.

The checklist is divided into phases: Pre-Event, Day 1 to Day 3 (the duration of the event), and Post-Event.

In the Pre-Event phase, it outlines tasks such as identifying potential problems, obtaining sponsorship approval, delegating team leadership, grouping teams, scheduling pre-planning meetings, collecting process data, and organizing logistics like room and equipment reservations. Additionally, it covers obvious stuff like notifying staff about the event and gathering supplies. .

During the event (Day 1 to Day 3), the checklist includes reviewing lean principles and project charter, conducting warm-up activities, establishing team rules, developing current and future state maps, identifying inefficiencies, and creating a visual workplace with standard work processes. Following that - the Post-Event phase covers finalizing presentations, assigning presentation roles, discussing future business, and displaying event details and outcomes in common areas. It also emphasizes the importance of completing an implementation plan and training staff. Overall a strong template.

🔗🔗🔗 Link to template: link

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2: uMass Boston's Kaizen template 🥈

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The University of Massachusetts Boston provides a series of templates including:

1. **Kaizen Profile Template**: This is utilized in the pre-meeting phase of a Kaizen event. It helps in assessing the problem, defining the target state, and identifying the gap between the current and desired states.

2. **Kaizen Closure Template**: This template is used during the follow-up stage, which occurs 2 to 6 months after the initial event. It serves to ensure that the process improvements are effective and to make any necessary updates.

3. **Newspaper Template**: This one is used throughout the event to record tasks, assign responsibilities, and establish timelines. It is a key tool for keeping track of who is doing what and by when.

These templates form a structured approach to conducting Kaizen events, guiding teams through the initial assessment, action implementation, and post-event review stages. Maybe they are what you need but be sure to ask for permission!

🔗🔗🔗 Link to template: template link

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3: CI Toolkit's Kaizen Event Charter Template

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The Kaizen Event Charter Template from the Continuous Improvement Toolkit is Excel-based.

The template's primary purpose is to identify and eliminate waste and non-value-added activities, leading to improvements in quality, efficiency, delivery, cost savings, system standardization, and employee engagement. It is customizable (as it's excel, not pdf).

🔗🔗🔗 Link to template: template link

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4. Smartsheet's Event Template

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The checklist is structured chronologically, covering these phases: Pre-Event, Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, and Post-Event. In the Pre-Event phase, it covers the identification of potential problems, sponsorship approval, team leadership delegation, team grouping, scheduling pre-planning meetings, data collection, and event logistics like room reservation. It's similar to the "Learn Lean6Sigma's template" above.

During the event, spanning Day 1 to Day 3, the checklist outlines a series of activities including review of lean elements, project charter, team rules, development of current and future state maps, value discussion sessions, inefficiency identification, and development of visual workplaces and standard work processes. The Post-Event phase focuses on finalizing presentations, identifying presenters for management presentation, posting event details and outcomes in common areas, implementing plans, and training staff.

🔗🔗🔗 Link to template: Open PDF link directly

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5. Lucid Meeting's Template

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This offering is more of a guide than an exact template. That said, it is a pretty comprehensive guide for organizing and executing Kaizen events. Click through and you'll see a meeting agenda template to help set up and guide teams through the Kaizen event, ensuring a structured and effective approach.

The guidebook and resources available on the page include a 19-page facilitator's guide with step-by-step instructions and tips for running a Kaizen event.

🔗🔗🔗 Link to template: Link

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6. Slide Team's Template

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This offering from SlideTeam blog is again, not exaclty a template but could be very useful. .

The article outlines various templates that the site offers, including:

• Template 1: Presenting the Steps Involved in Kaizen Event Planning Template


• Template 2: Assessing the Five Different Types of Kaizen Event Template


• Template 3: Previewing the Steps to Conduct Virtual Kaizen Event Template


• Template 4: Understanding the Kaizen Event Planning Checklist with Responsibility Template


• Template 5: Unveiling the Methodology for Conducting Kaizen Event Template


• Template 6: Exploring the Essential Steps for Rapid Improvement Kaizen Event Template


• Template 7: Explaining the Kaizen Charter for Event Project Management Template

...and many more.

🔗🔗🔗 Link to template: Link

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7. University of Iowa's Template


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The "Iowa - Kaizen Event Template" is a detailed guide for planning and executing a Kaizen event, a process improvement methodology focused on continuous improvement in an organization. The template includes sections such as the Project Charter, which outlines the specific problem, team member roles, the business case for the project, key output measures, specific goals, project scope, and data analysis.

That said - it is a PDF so you cannot modify it. But you might still get value from it.

🔗🔗🔗 Link to template: Open PDF

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8. Clickup's Template


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The ClickUp Kaizen Event Meeting Agenda Template is accessible if you sign up for Clickup.

🔗🔗🔗 Link to template: Open link

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Summary
All in all - utilizing these templates can significantly boost the efficiency and effectiveness of Kaizen events. By providing a structured approach to continuous improvement, organizations can foster a culture of innovation and efficiency, ultimately leading to enhanced performance and success.