Criteria for selecting first few processes to Kaizen

The ideal process for a first kaizen...

Is guaranteed to succeed
Enjoys the enthusiasm of everyone involved - especially mid management
Is a bottleneck that will break open dramatic increased productivity for the entire value stream
Has obvious potential for dramatic improvement
Is an easy project - a confidence builder
Is pretty much a self-contained process that isn't influenced greatly by outside forces
Involves a physical product (rather than information or management policy issues that can be kaizened later)
It doesn't require computer programming or any technology that can't be completed in 3 days
It doesn't contain a "monument" that can't easily and inexpensively be replaced in 3 days
Won't require exceptional involvement of outside support (e.g. riggers, maintenance, IT...)
Won't cost very much money
Ideally involves a product that can be made with a cell with fewer than a dozen operators
Ideally involves a product with medium to high volume
Is a stable, repeatable process that isn't plagued with equipment downtime or yield issues
Has clearly defined and easily understood performance measures
Is a simple process that is well-known and/or easily understood by everyone
Can be copied and used in other areas
Is highly visible (exception: if top management isn't fully on board yet, then sometimes a "stealth kaizen" can be the best way to prove the concept)

Suggested focus of first Kaizens

Productivity improvements. Processes that increase output, or reduce resource requirements.
Setup time reductions
Organizing for flow