March is known for the blossoming of cherry trees, and to celebrate this event, we dedicated a presentation to exploring how Japanese management techniques can be effectively applied to modern business practices. Our presentation covered five powerful tools for quality management and marketing communications: the 5 Whys, Kano Model, Matrix of Priorities, Jidoka, Tree Diagram, and Similarity Diagram.
The 5 Whys is a systematic tool for identifying the root cause of problems. It was coined by Sakito Toyoda, the founder of Toyota, and is widely used for effective problem-solving. By analyzing the cause-and-effect relationships of a problem, the method helps to plan corrective actions and improve communication audits, anti-crisis communications, and advocacy campaigns.
The Kano Model, developed by Noriaki Kano, is used to define and prioritize customer needs and requirements. It is a valuable tool for creating new products and establishing a value proposition that delights customers. By identifying the key factors of selection and preference, businesses can enhance their competitive edge.
The Matrix of Priorities, which was included in the list of 7 main methods of quality management by the Japan Association of Scientists and Engineers in 1979, is a powerful decision-making tool. It helps to find the most important way to solve a problem by visually presenting information graphically. This tool is useful in creating business models, planning campaigns, and creating message boxes.
Jidoka, is a technique for optimizing production management and improving competitiveness. It was introduced by Sakito Toyoda and is a method of using human intelligence to implement automated systems. The main purpose of Poka-Yoke is to reveal and clarify hidden problems that prevent a company from functioning properly. It is a component of Lean Management.
The Tree Diagram, also known as the hierarchical model or system diagram, is another tool for decision-making that was included in the list of 7 main methods of quality management by the Japan Association of Scientists and Engineers in 1979. It is used to identify the characteristics of a problem and arrange them logically to find effective solutions. This tool is useful for strategic planning, problem analysis, budgeting, and social mobilization campaigns.
Finally, the Similarity Diagram, developed by Dziro Kawakita, is a tool for systematizing and organizing ideas, customer requirements, and problem-related expressions by members of groups. It helps to understand unsolved problems, establish invisible links and connections between individual pieces of information, and analyze unsystematic oral opinions. It is often used to create a business model canvas, strategy canvas, and customer profile.
Expanding the Quality Function, also known as Quality Function Deployment (QFD), is a method for refining existing products and creating new ones. It was developed by Akao and Mizuno and is committed to creating products that meet the future needs and demands of consumers. The Lexus brand was created using this method, which involves converting customer requirements into manufacturer requirements for a product/service throughout its life cycle. The House of Quality is a graphic part of the method that combines customer requirements and their ranking with product characteristics and correlation of goals and priorities.
In summary, these Japanese management techniques are valuable tools for businesses to improve their competitiveness and meet the needs and expectations of their customers. By adopting these techniques, businesses can create new products, refine existing ones, optimize production management, and make effective decisions based on thorough analysis and understanding of their problems and customers' needs.