Human-Centered Problem Solving: The Management of Improvements

As one of Japan's foremost authorities on Industrial Engineering, Takeshi Kawase has developed a unique and elegantly simple solution to the 'problem of problem solving.' In Human-Centered Problem-Solving: The Management of Improvements he shares the experience and insights he has gained during more than 30 years as a consultant. Although well versed in the theories and techniques of IE, Takeshi Kawase focuses on the philosophy of problem solving. The keystones of his philosophy lie in the ideas that every problem has an owner and that a problem's owner is the person best equipped to solve the problem, as long as the techniques are straightforward and the necessary support is provided. The goal therefore is to come up with a solution that matches the owner's needs and that will enhance rather than diminish job satisfaction and pride. To this end, Human-Centered Problem-Solving advocates the implementation of the line-centered model of problem solving as the most effective way to achieve this goal. Kawase defines IE as dealing with efficiency of systems that include humans. Believing that IE lies between science and the humanities, he draws from both approaches.