20 Keys of Iwao Kobayashi-San

What is knows as 'the 20 Keys of  Kobayashi' in the Western world, is called PPORF in Japan.

'20 Keys' is quite same system as PPORF and these are created by Iwao Kobayashi who is a Chairman of PDI (PPORF Development Institute Inc.) in Japan.

Mr. Kobayashi developed a very pragmatic way to improve a (manufacturing) company by Japanese management concepts.

He describes 20 ‘Keys’ that are crucial to develop a world class company.

The keys cover 5S, quick changeover, scheduling, reducing inventory, maintenance, skill building activities, eliminating waste, value analysis, empowering workers, quality, developing supplier, etc. Each key  is further divided into five levels from novice to "world class" status.

The Seiko Watch Company set up a consulting company with Mr. Kobayashi to teach the 20 Keys to all of their suppliers and other companies in Japan.

The 20 keys are:

Key 1: Cleaning and Organizing Key 2: Rationalizing the System/MBOs Key 3: Improvement Team Activities Key 4: Reducing Inventory          (Shortening Lead Times) Key 5: Quick Changeover Technology Key 6: Manufacturing Value Analysis          (Methods Improvement) Key 7: Zero Monitor Manufacturing Key 8: Coupled Manufacturing Key 9: Maintaining Equipment Key 10: Time Control and Commitment Key 11: Quality Assurance System Key 12: Developing Your Suppliers Key 13: Eliminating Waste (Treasure Map) Key 14: Empowering Workers to Make Improvements Key 15: Skill Versatility and Cross Training Key 16: Production Scheduling Key 17: Efficiency Control Key 18: Using Information Systems Key 19: Conserving Energy and Materials Key 20: Leading Technology and Site Technology

Looking carefully to the keys, you might discover some overlap like ‘getting 100% efficiency - waste elimination - reduction in change over’; one being a part of the other. Remember: this is not a MODEL but a pragmatic approach, a roadmap if you like, based on years of experience.

Mr Kobayashi over the years found out: This is what needs to be done over and over again, if you do those things, you will approve.

This pragmatic approach also has a disadvantage: you will have to 'translate' some keys when not applied to manufacturing facilities (i.e. healthcare, or other services).

A very important learning from mr. Kobayashi's approach is to keep as much as possible balance between the development of the keys; mr. Kobayashi states we should not develop óne key without keeping track of the others. Here we see an example of the 'harmony model' that is too often forgotten in our attempts to move quick - which actually slows us down and frustrates us...

You will recognize –parts of– those 20 keys (maybe in another form) in many other improvement programs; however here it is quite clear what needs to be achieved to reach a certain level. And so one can monitor whether all keys are developed harmoniously!

Even if you are 'into Lean' or 'into Six Sigma' it would be still a great help to use the 20 Keys!