Sagyou 【作業】 - the lost meaning -

Standardized Work. The most crucial foundation of the Toyota Production System. The Japanese for this word is Hyoujyun Sagyou 【標準作業】. Since the Japanese were introduced to Standard work, we have been using “Work = Sagyou 【作業】” without question. But this translation raised the question of whether this is appropriate. For example, Ohno mentioned the importance of Sagyou Kaizen 【作業改善】in “Workplace management,” the translation for Safgyou was “Manual work.” Here, we see that work has a broader meaning, while Sagyou is more specific.

When I use a dictionary, Sagyou means to work, especially with some objective and plan by using body and intelligence. Many words represent “work” in Japanese. Sagyou emphasizes the manual craft side of work. It is repeated and routined. At the same time, I felt this gap between how I was trained on the standardized work. Such a typical meaning, or the modern Japanese understanding of Sagyou, does not represent the depth of what and why we focus on the standardized work at Genba.

So, I searched for information about the history of this word, Sagyou【作業】.

Sagyou【作業】 was a word that is used in Buddhism, especially the Jōdo-shū. Jōdo-shū is a sect of Japanese Buddhism that focuses on Nianfo. Nianfo is the oral repetition of the name of Amitābha and the phrase “Namu-Amidabutsu.” Because of this simplicity, Jōdo-shū is one of the largest Buddhists in Japan. My middle school was the Jōdo-shū.

In this Jōdo-shū, Sagyou【作業】(they read as Sagou) is one of three essential things for practicing Nianfo: Anjin, Kigyou, and Sagou. Anjin is the mindset; we translate it as “peace of mind.” Kigyou is the action. Sagyou【作業】is an attitude towards training or the Nainfo.

There are four types of attitude that Jōdo-shū teach as important for Sagyou【作業】.

1. Kugyoushu 【恭敬修】which means respect. This respect means not only the master but also the colleges and people surrounding you. Also, we should respect the teachings and the law.

2. Muyoshu 【無余修】 means to focus. Focus on the Nianfo.

3. Mukenshu 【無間修】 means to continue without intervals in terms of time and other activities.

4. Jyoujyushu 【長時修】 means life-long learning and practice.

These four aspects of Sagyou【作業】 fill the gaps that I felt in Standardized work in TPS and other factories.

Standardized work means respect. The work must be easy for the person who is practicing. We must listen to the workers' voices and opinions. Everybody practicing standardized work allows the operations to be stable. Do not interrupt the standardized work. One of the first things I learned was where to observe so that the observer can refrain from interfering with any standardized work. Periodic work and fluctuations are not a matter of calculations and allowances. It prevents the next cycle of standardized work; therefore, we must Kaizen the periodic works and fluctuations. The standardized work is not a one-time thing. It is never-ending because we should Kaizen based on changes in the market and the elimination of Muda.

By the way, other people felt the additional meaning that the Japanese have on Sagyou【作業】. In the 16 century, Christianity arrived in Japan, and they used Sagyou【作業】 as part of the translation. Their usage of Sagyou【作業】 means action or life. Early translators of Christianity would not use Sagyou【作業】if this word had negative nuances. Instead, Sagyou【作業】 something that means more positive, sacred, or respected nature, which is why they used it. This trend continues today, and “Occupational” therapy is translated as Sagyou【作業】 Ryouhou 【療法】, which aims to provide cure, meaning and happiness.

Standardized work is scientific. However, there are attitudes and meanings behind that science. So what does “Standardized Work” or Sagyou【作業】mean for you and your business?