The Shingo Prize for Operational Excellence is named for Japanese industrial engineer Shigeo Shingo who distinguished himself as one of the world’s leading experts in improving manufacturing processes. Dr. Shingo has been described as an “engineering genius” who helped create and write about many aspects of the revolutionary manufacturing practices which comprise the renowned Toyota Production System.
The Shingo Prize was established in 1988 to promote awareness of lean concepts and to educate, assess and recognize companies that achieve world-class operational excellence status around the globe. The Shingo Prize philosophy is that world-class business performance is achieved through a deep understanding and integration of lean principles, lean systems of management, and the wise application of lean tools and techniques to create a sustainable culture of continuous improvement.
The Shingo Prize recognizes organizations and research that is consistent with its mission and model with the following recognition programs:
Recipients of The Shingo and Research Prizes are honored at the international Shingo Prize Annual Conference.
The Shingo Prize is directed by the Board of Governors who are leading representatives of businesses, professional organizations, and academic institutions. A dedicated management team oversees day-to-day operations. Individuals who have distinguished themselves in the area of operational excellence are able to serve as promotional ambassadors through The Shingo Prize Academy.
The Shingo Prize is regarded as the premier operational excellence education, assessment and recognition program for North America. As part of the Shingo Prize mission and model, the Prize highlights the value of using lean/world-class operational excellence practices to attain world-class status.
MISSION: The mission of The Shingo Prize is to create excellence in organizations through the application of universal, self-evident principles of operational excellence and the alignment of management systems and improvement techniques throughout an entire organization.
VISION: Our vision is to be globally recognized as the premier Center for principle-based leadership in Operational Excellence and for providing the highest standard of excellence to which any organization may benchmark themselves and plan for improvement.