SME: The Essence of Jidoka – dead link
You can download it here.
This link is to an article I wrote for the SME online “Lean Directions” site back in 2002. I am including it on this site for the sake of completeness. I noticed that the Wikipedia article on the same subject is largely derived from this, which I simply consider flattery.
Mark,
I read your article of “The Essence of Jidoka,” and I must conclude you are spot on. I wished I had read it 20 years ago. The Jidoka pillar is an absolute to sustaining a transformation. It is also speaks to whether a person or organization is serious about doing the Toyota Production System. Thanks for the ageless insights.
Steve
Steve –
Thank you for the comment. I think I wrote that back in the fall of 2002. Looking at what I have learned since then – I would say that the active feedback and correction process that the jidoka philosophy is what actually drives daily improvement (which focuses mostly on stability to the standard). Without this stability is impossible, and things get a little worse every day instead of a little better.