The MetroWest Daily News published an Associated Press article about a method for bureaucracies to become more efficient.  The process, from Japan, is called kaizen, and is about working on continuous improvement.

Kaisen involves the workers and looks at why things are done a certain way, mapping and breaking down each step, and eliminating and reducing as much as possible to streamline processes.  Kaisen helps to save time, increase task turnaround time, use resources wisely, and reduce government waste.  It engages employees and empowers them to make suggestions to improve their workplace and efficiency.

The article put us in mind of the Town of Framingham Recycling Drop-Off Center, which has been evolving and showing continuous improvement.  It seems as though the DPW folks have taken the time to analyze what needs to be done to handle waste and keep tweeking the process.

A few weeks ago a friendly greeter told us we could buy our 2009 permit stickers early as well as directed us into the best line for our drop-offs.

At the December 2008 meeting of the Framingham Downtown Renaissance group, mention was made of a new permit that would be available for businesses as well as individuals.  Many small businesses will be glad to make use of that.

The Framingham DPW may not know what “kaizen” is, but they seem to be practicing it.

One thing we would like to see is a “put and take” or swap center so that usable items can be passed along to new owners instead of being scrapped.  In these tight times, it might really help residents as well as reducing waste removal costs.