The 20 keys System is a fully integrated continuous improvement and benchmarking system that can be integrated into your existing Operational Excellence Programme.

The international benchmarking facility measures both the physical transformation and behaviours required to sustain improved performance.  The system measures the effectiveness of the processes, it enables organisations to benchmark themselves on both an industry to industry and non industry basis.

There are four differentiators that make the 20 keys so special

First the implementation starts with a formidable persuasion programme. Engaging the main body of the workforce is a critical success factor and this is led by a benchmarking exercise whereby each local area measures its starting point on the 20 keys improvement grid. To make this stage both exciting and simple Professor Kobayashi developed a series of cartoons, five per key, showing the progression from awful (level 1) to excellent (level 5).
 

Secondly the 20 keys system uses simple and visible communication means at all times. Targets are visible; progress is visible and local workers monitor progress openly for everyone to see. Having such open communication for many aspects of work; skills assessments, timekeeping, supplier (and customer) delivery performance, defects, overtime, absenteeism etc engenders trust. There are no dark reports locked away in filing cabinets everything is out in the open.


Thirdly the 20 keys system empowers the workforce in a very safe and gentle manner, because it is done in small steps in a structured and deliberate manner. Newly empowered workers receive lots of support as well as the dis-empowered manager. When the empowerment is working and both parties are comfortable the real culture change begins because the manager should have more time to manage.


Fourthly the 20 keys is a highly prescriptive system that has been honed in Japan since the seventies and the rest of the world during the past fifteen. It is truly tried and tested.