Jidou-ka 【自働化】is a mysterious word. Taiichi Ohno made it by changing automation 【自動化】 to autonomation 【自働化】. The meaning is to add human wisdom to automation. Machines should stop when there is a problem.
But there is a question. The combination of Ji 【自】, which means self, and Dou 【働】, which is work, is strange for Japanese.
“Work” has many idioms in Japanese.
One such word was Roudou 【労働】, which I wrote in this post.
A typical word that is used today for work is Shigoto 【仕事】.
The first symbol of this word means to serve or work for. The left side of the symbol 【イ】 represents the human. The right side 【士】 means gentleman or samurai in Japan. In China, this word represents the ruling class and, eventually, government officials. Both represent those who work for the upper “boss.” The second symbol means things or matters. Therefore, "work" means to serve someone in a higher position.
Another word that was popular in Japan before WWII was Kinrou 【勤労】.
The first symbol, Kin 【勤】, also means to serve. Compared to the above Shi 【仕】, Kin 【勤】 seems to have more heart or loyalities. Kinrou 【勤労】 is an old word, but it is still used today as Labor Appreciation Day on November 23rd in Japan.
I noticed a pattern after reviewing the words that represent “work” in Japan. There is always some hierarchical relationship, and “work” is captured within that relationship.
Compared to such a typical perception of “work,” Jidou-ka 【自働化】is very different.
Ji 【自】 means self or own.
This symbol is frequently used in TPS.
Jikoutei 【自工程】= Own process. I wrote in this post.
Jiseki 【自責】= Self or own responsibility. Typically asked when a problem happens. “Is this Jiseki or not?” Normally, there are more Jiseki than the others.
Jishuken 【自主研】 = Self-research or study group. Commonly, it is translated as workshops.
Ohno also refers to "autonomic nerves," which is Jiritsu-Sinkei 【自律神経】.
This aspect of Ji 【自】 is frequently reminded inside TPS.
Then Jidou-ka 【自働化】will be Self/own - Work - ization. Or Ohno’s definition of work will be Self/own - human wisdom added - Movement-ization.
This thinking is strange in Japanese culture, in which we understand the work in the context of hierarchy. Of course, I am not saying that Ohno tried to demolish hierarchy. Ohno's book has plenty of examples of how managers should be. Yet, he still wanted the workers to own their work in such a culture. Ohno has stated in his book that “eliminating no-meaning waste will raise the job satisfaction (Hatarakigai【働きがい】) of each worker.” [Toyota production system 1978 P.39] The English version has translated the word Hatarakigai【働きがい】 as “Value of work,” which is misleading. Some have translated Hatarakigai【働きがい】as “work motivation.” Some have used “rewarding and engaging.” It is essential to remember that Ohno is connected Muda elimination and job satisfaction. He and TPS continue to remind the self aspect of work. Yes, teamwork is critical, but so is self-work.
The other day, I was asked if there is an AI or software that automatically generates standardized work. I don’t think that is correct if we think about self/own work or self/own - human wisdom added. Let the people try & error the standardized work so that they own and understand the issues. If there is an AI or software, the paperwork of making the standardized work might go faster. But what about the ownership? Do people actually use it and improve? If nothing happens, then all AI and software will be wasted. Imperfect but respected and continuously improving standardized work is better than beautiful paperwork that nobody uses.
The Jidouka concept is profound and has a lot of potential. Please don’t think it is about placing a light.
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