THE SHINGO MODEL
Achieve Shingo Excellence with The Manufacturing Institute, Shingo Affiliate Since 2008.
The Shingo Model is a globally recognised framework for achieving operational excellence, developed to help organisations create a sustainable culture of continuous improvement. Named after Dr. Shigeo Shingo, a pioneer in Lean manufacturing and the Toyota Production System, the model focuses on driving ideal behaviours through principles, systems, and tools rather than relying solely on performance metrics.
Unlike traditional improvement methodologies that emphasise tools and techniques, the Shingo Model prioritises culture as the foundation of success. One of the things the Shingo Model highlights the critical relationships between principles, systems, tools, and results, ensuring that improvement efforts are not just temporary fixes but embedded naturally in how the organisation operates.
At its core, the model teaches that results are a function of behaviour and that organisational systems influence behaviour. Organisations can achieve long-term success rather than short-term gains by designing systems that encourage ideal behaviours. The Shingo Model is not another initiative but a way of thinking which transforms leadership, management, and everyday operations to align with a purpose-driven, high-performing culture.
Even where organisations have an existing framework, those adopting the Shingo Model experience higher employee engagement, more decisive leadership, and more sustainable results. By understanding and embedding its guiding principles, businesses can move beyond short-term improvements to achieve true operational excellence.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
THE SHINGO™ MODEL
The Shingo Guiding Principles are the bedrock for building a sustainable culture of organisational excellence by driving behaviours and decision-making at all levels.
The Guiding Principles diamond contains ten principles that are divided into three dimensions:
• Cultural Enablers (Respect Every Individual, Lead with Humility)
• Continuous Improvement (Seek Perfection, Focus on Process, Embrace Scientific Thinking, Flow & Pull Value, Assure Quality at the Source)
• Enterprise Alignment (Create Constancy of Purpose, Think Systemically, Create Value for the Customer)
SYSTEMS
THE SHINGO™ MODEL
All work in an organisation is the outcome of a system. Successful enterprises rely on complex systems comprising subsystems, each containing tools that drive intended outcomes.
Achieving organisational excellence requires dependable, well-designed systems that help shape behaviours to ensure both performance and sustainability. Since all work is the outcome of a system, leaders need to align systems with these principles to reinforce ideal behaviours.
TOOLS
THE SHINGO™ MODEL
Tools like Lean, Six Sigma, and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) support systems but should not be mistaken for the primary drivers of excellence.
Many organisations fall into the trap of over-relying on tools, focusing on “how” rather than understanding “why.” Tools alone do not create improvement, and employees must integrate them into well-designed systems that encourage the right behaviours.
Without a clear connection to purpose and principles, tools can lead to dependency rather than empowerment, leaving team members waiting for instructions rather than taking proactive action.
RESULTS
THE SHINGO™ MODEL
Most people recognise the term “KPI”; it is extensively used in many businesses to measure success.
Whilst they are crucial for tracking success, Shingo do not recommend that KPI’s be the sole focus. Sustainable results stem from cultures that prioritise excellence over short-term metrics. It is essential to view results from the customer’s perspective, not just faceless internal measurements.
Shingo also believes that lagging KPIs often reflect company culture and behaviours, underscoring the need for leaders to foster an environment that drives the right outcomes through aligned systems and principles.
CULTURE
(BEHAVIOUR)
THE SHINGO™ MODEL
Culture is at the heart of the Shingo Model and is the foundation of every organisation.
To achieve long-term operational excellence, organisations must embed the guiding principles into their culture. Cultural transformation hinges on shifting these behaviours because systems drive behaviour.
Shingo helps you adjust the old, create new, and eliminate misaligned systems that no longer drive the desired behaviours to support outcomes.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
THE SHINGO™ MODEL
The Shingo Guiding Principles are the bedrock for building a sustainable culture of organisational excellence by driving behaviours and decision-making at all levels.
The Guiding Principles diamond contains ten principles that are divided into three dimensions:
• Cultural Enablers (Respect Every Individual, Lead with Humility)
• Continuous Improvement (Seek Perfection, Focus on Process, Embrace Scientific Thinking, Flow & Pull Value, Assure Quality at the Source)
• Enterprise Alignment (Create Constancy of Purpose, Think Systemically, Create Value for the Customer)
SYSTEMS
THE SHINGO™ MODEL
All work in an organisation is the outcome of a system. Successful enterprises rely on complex systems comprising subsystems, each containing tools that drive intended outcomes.
Achieving organisational excellence requires dependable, well-designed systems that help shape behaviours to ensure both performance and sustainability. Since all work is the outcome of a system, leaders need to align systems with these principles to reinforce ideal behaviours.
TOOLS
THE SHINGO™ MODEL
Tools like Lean, Six Sigma, and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) support systems but should not be mistaken for the primary drivers of excellence.
Many organisations fall into the trap of over-relying on tools, focusing on “how” rather than understanding “why.” Tools alone do not create improvement, and employees must integrate them into well-designed systems that encourage the right behaviours.
Without a clear connection to purpose and principles, tools can lead to dependency rather than empowerment, leaving team members waiting for instructions rather than taking proactive action.
RESULTS
THE SHINGO™ MODEL
Most people recognise the term “KPI”; it is extensively used in many businesses to measure success.
Whilst they are crucial for tracking success, Shingo do not recommend that KPI’s be the sole focus. Sustainable results stem from cultures that prioritise excellence over short-term metrics. It is essential to view results from the customer’s perspective, not just faceless internal measurements.
Shingo also believes that lagging KPIs often reflect company culture and behaviours, underscoring the need for leaders to foster an environment that drives the right outcomes through aligned systems and principles.
CULTURE
(BEHAVIOUR)
THE SHINGO™ MODEL
Culture is at the heart of the Shingo Model and is the foundation of every organisation.
To achieve long-term operational excellence, organisations must embed the guiding principles into their culture. Cultural transformation hinges on shifting these behaviours because systems drive behaviour.
Shingo helps you adjust the old, create new, and eliminate misaligned systems that no longer drive the desired behaviours to support outcomes.
Why Implement
The Shingo Model?
Achieve Excellence with Shingo
The Shingo Model should not be viewed as just another endeavour but a transformational approach to holistic business improvement in including leadership and process improvement. Organisations that implement this model experience:
- Stronger Employee Engagement – People who feel valued and empowered contribute freely to continuous improvement.
- Sustainable Business Performance – Instead of chasing short-term performance indicators, the model drives more sustainable excellence.
- Customer-Centric Operations – Proven to align systems and improve behaviours, businesses create greater value for customers.
- A Proven Benchmark for Excellence – The Shingo Prize, often called the “Nobel Prize of Manufacturing,” recognises organisations that achieve world-class performance using this model.
The Three Insights
of Organisational Excellence
The Shingo Model was created on three fundamental
insights that differentiate it from other methodologies:
Insight 1
Ideal Results Require Ideal Behaviours
Sustainable excellence comes from fostering the right behaviours, not just implementing tools.
Insight 2
Purpose and Systems Drive Behaviour
Leaders must align their systems with organisational purpose to reinforce the right behaviours.
Insight 3
Principles Inform Ideal Behaviour
Understanding core principles helps organisations design better systems that lead to desired behaviours and results.
The Shingo Prize is the prestigious recognition awarded to organisations excelling in operational performance and cultural transformation.
Inspired by Dr. Shingo’s principles, the prize encourages companies to integrate these principles into their daily practices.
The Shingo Prize recognition is awarded at three levels: Operational Excellence, Bronze Medallion, and Silver Medallion, with each level representing an organisation’s progress toward a lived culture of continuous improvement and alignment with more than lean principles.
SHINGO GUIDING PRINCIPLES
The Shingo Guiding Principles are the bedrock for building a sustainable culture of organisational excellence by driving behaviours and decision-making at all levels.
The Shingo Prize is the prestigious recognition awarded to organisations excelling in operational performance and cultural transformation.
Inspired by Dr. Shingo’s principles, the prize encourages companies to integrate these principles into their daily practices.
The Shingo Prize recognition is awarded at three levels: Operational Excellence, Bronze Medallion, and Silver Medallion, with each level representing an organisation’s progress toward a lived culture of continuous improvement and alignment with more than lean principles.
SHINGO GUIDING PRINCIPLES
The Shingo Guiding Principles are the bedrock for building a sustainable culture of organisational excellence by driving behaviours and decision-making at all levels.
Ready to Transform
Your Business?
Discover how the Shingo Model can revolutionise your organisation. Contact us today to learn more about the Shingo journey, workshops, or leadership coaching.
FAQ's
What is the Shingo Model?
The Shingo Model is a globally recognised framework for achieving operational excellence, focusing on creating a culture of continuous improvement. It is based on principles, systems, and tools, prioritising ideal behaviours over performance metrics.
Who developed the Shingo Model?
The Shingo Model was developed by Dr. Shigeo Shingo, a pioneer in Lean manufacturing and the Toyota Production System. His work laid the foundation for this comprehensive framework that drives operational excellence.
How does the Shingo Model differ from traditional improvement methodologies?
Unlike traditional approaches, the Shingo Model focuses on embedding a culture of excellence by aligning organisational systems and behaviours, rather than just relying on tools and performance metrics for improvement.
What are the key principles of the Shingo Model?
The Shingo Model’s principles are divided into three dimensions: Cultural Enablers, Continuous Improvement, and Enterprise Alignment. These Guiding Principles influence organisational behaviour and decision-making at all levels.
Why is culture so important in the Shingo Model?
Culture is at the heart of the Shingo Model. It shapes behaviours and drives performance. By embedding the model’s principles into an organisation’s culture, you create lasting change that leads to sustainable success.
What tools are used in the Shingo Model?
What is the Shingo Prize?
The Shingo Prize is a prestigious global recognition awarded to organisations that demonstrate operational excellence and cultural transformation. It celebrates companies that have successfully embedded the Shingo Model’s principles into their daily practices.
How can implementing the Shingo Model benefit my organisation?
Implementing the Shingo Model can lead to stronger employee engagement, more sustainable business performance, enhanced customer-centric operations, and a recognised benchmark for excellence. It fosters a culture of continuous improvement that drives long-term success.
What are the three key insights of the Shingo Model?
The three key insights are:
- Ideal Results Require Ideal Behaviours
- Purpose and Systems Drive Behaviour
- Principles Inform Ideal Behaviour
These insights differentiate the Shingo Model from other methodologies by emphasising the importance of behaviour and culture in achieving sustainable excellence.
How can I get started with the Shingo Model?
To get started with the Shingo Model, organisations can participate in Shingo workshops, coaching, and consultation. Contact us today to learn more about how the Shingo Model can help transform your business and drive continuous improvement.