Project Improvement Skills: Using Kaizen to Strengthen Project Delivery

Monday 16 November, 09.30am-12.30pm | Online via Zoom | £99 per person

Projects rarely become difficult because of one single issue. More often, pressure builds through smaller recurring problems: unclear handovers, slow decisions, duplicated effort, missed information, last-minute changes, repeated mistakes, or work being held up because nobody is quite sure what needs to happen next.

These issues can make projects feel heavier than they need to, especially when teams are working across multiple priorities, tight deadlines, limited budgets and changing demands.

Project Improvement Skills: Using Kaizen to Strengthen Project Delivery is a practical half-day course for project managers, producers, coordinators, programme leads and team managers who want to improve how projects are delivered day to day, and how everyday processes can better support clear, effective delivery.

The course introduces Kaizen as a simple, practical approach to continuous improvement. Rather than focusing on large-scale change, new systems or complex methodology, Kaizen helps teams notice where friction is happening, understand why the same problems keep repeating, and test small improvements that make work clearer, calmer and more effective.

This is not a course about perfection, productivity hacks or asking people to work faster. It is about making small, realistic changes to the way projects are set up, communicated and reviewed, so that teams can reduce rework, improve clarity and make better use of the time and capacity they already have.

Who is this course for?

This course is designed for people who manage, coordinate or contribute to project delivery, particularly within creative, cultural, heritage, community or non-profit settings.

It will be especially useful for:

* Project managers, project leads and programme managers

* Producers, coordinators and delivery leads

* Team managers responsible for cross-team delivery

* Freelancers or independent practitioners managing collaborative projects

* Staff who are involved in planning, delivering or reviewing projects

* Anyone who finds that the same project challenges keep coming up again and again

You do not need any previous knowledge of Kaizen to attend. The course is designed to be accessible, practical and directly relevant to real project situations.

This course is particularly suited to people who already have some experience of managing or contributing to projects and want to strengthen how those projects run in practice. It is not a full introduction to project management, but it will complement existing project management knowledge and help participants improve the way projects work in real life.

What will the course cover?

During the session, participants will explore how a Kaizen-informed approach can support better project delivery by helping teams identify recurring issues, understand root causes and test practical improvements.

The course will cover:

* What Kaizen is, and how it can be applied to project delivery

* How small, continuous improvements can reduce pressure, confusion and rework

* Common sources of friction in projects, including delays, duplication, unclear ownership and missed communication

* How to use the 7 Wastes as a practical way to spot where time, effort or clarity is being lost

* How to use the 5 Whys to explore recurring project problems without blame

* How visual management can help teams see priorities, blockers, deadlines and responsibilities more clearly

* How to use PDCA - Plan, Do, Check, Act - to test small improvements safely

* How to design a realistic improvement experiment that can be applied to your own work

Throughout the course, participants will use practical examples, discussion and short activities to explore how these tools can be used in everyday project situations.

What will you gain?

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

* Recognise recurring project problems and understand why they keep happening

* Identify points of friction, waste or duplication in project delivery

* Use simple Kaizen tools to explore problems in a non-blaming way

* Apply the 5 Whys to move beyond surface-level issues

* Use visual management to improve clarity around deadlines, blockers and responsibilities

* Use PDCA to test small, low-risk improvements

* Carry out an improvement experiment within a current or future project

Many project management courses focus on planning: setting objectives, creating timelines, defining roles and managing constraints. These are all important. But even well-planned projects can become difficult when communication breaks down, decisions are delayed, responsibilities are unclear or lessons are not carried forward.

This course focuses on what happens in the day-to-day reality of project delivery.

It helps participants step back from firefighting and look at the small patterns that can make work harder than it needs to be. By using Kaizen, participants will learn how to make practical improvements without needing extra budget, major restructuring or full organisational change.

Course details

This is a practical and interactive course. The session will include group discussion, case studies, short activities and time for individual reflection.

Participants will be encouraged to think about their own project contexts and identify one small, realistic improvement they could test after the session.

The focus will be on practical application rather than theory, and participants will leave with approaches to continuous project improvement they can use immediately.

Course Cost: £99 per person

When: Monday, 16 November, 09.30am-12.30pm - Online via Zoom

Career Development Support:

We understand that funding training opportunities can be challenging, especially during defining moments in your life or career.

At Artswork, we believe in investing in the future of our sector, and we want to support those who are passionate about safeguarding and cultural development. That’s why we offer our Career Development Support pricing.

We have reserved three places on each course at a 25% discount for individuals who could use a little extra financial support. If you feel this applies to you, please contact us at [email protected] to explain your situation and receive the next steps.

All of our training courses are delivered using Zoom.

If you require further information or would like to discuss your needs in advance of the session, please contact us at [email protected]

Can this training be delivered specifically for our organisation?

Yes! All of our training courses can be delivered either online or in person at a time and date that works best for your team. We’re happy to adapt the content to ensure it aligns with your organisation’s needs and priorities.

If you’d like to learn more or discuss your requirements, please get in touch with us at [email protected]

*Read our course terms and conditions here.

Important Notice:

Please note that any discounts must be applied at the checkout. They cannot be redeemed retrospectively once the transaction is complete.