How Kaizen Events Work

Most Kaizen events fail before they even begin, not because of bad ideas, but because of poor preparation and lost momentum. In this episode, Scott Connor, Lead Senior Manufacturing Engineer at Emerson, reveals the critical prep work required weeks in advance, how to create psychological safety with cross-functional teams, and why protecting resources during the event determines success. You’ll learn practical strategies for securing leadership support, using code words to refocus discussions, conducting effective time studies, and leveraging AI for root cause analysis. Whether you’re planning your first Kaizen event or looking to improve your success rate, these insights will help you drive real results.