Martin Burger has been a lecturer, consultant and coach in the field of Operational Excellence (OpEx) for many years. He has supported improvement processes in numerous organizations – often using a variety of different tools and resources. This makes his perspective on the kyro platform, which he describes as a “powerful tool”, all the more exciting. In an interview with kyro expert Katrin Bitterle, he talks about the particular strengths of kyro. He also shares his experiences of its practical application and why he has made kyro an integral part of his further training courses at the ABB Technikerschule.
You’ve been working in OpEx as a lecturer and consultant for many years – what sets kyro apart from other tools you’ve used?
Without a doubt: the integration of the entire improvement process. From problem identification to solution implementation and tracking progress. For years, I had to manage all that across different tools.
You called kyro a “powerful tool” in our conversation – what do you see as its greatest strength?
Precisely this integration – it finally connects individual improvement activities with condensed tracking that provides visibility to management. And: leadership can finally fulfill its role in OpEx without detours.
What concrete benefits do you see from using kyro?
On the one hand, it breaks down hierarchical barriers in continuous improvement. On the other hand, it enables better communication among stakeholders, since everyone is now speaking about the same data.
And what is especially valuable: there’s a more joyful and wholehearted (yes, that’s the right word!) approach to what really drives an organization forward through improvement.
In your opinion, can kyro help increase employee involvement in the improvement process? If so, how?
Yes – if leadership wants it and demands it. kyro can remain an isolated solution at one level, but in that case, leadership isn’t fulfilling its role.
kyro greatly promotes the improvement process – but it also challenges those involved. If leadership and collaboration are not working as a cultural foundation, then even kyro can’t do much.
But kyro makes collaboration so much easier that it’s hard not to realize these benefits. Of course, it’s still possible to ignore them – and that says a lot about the quality of leadership.
Who would you recommend kyro to, and why?
There’s no exclusion criterion; I would recommend kyro to any organization aiming to achieve Operational Excellence. But beware: the organization must be mature enough and genuinely committed to improvement. That has nothing to do with the tool itself.
Is there anything you would change about kyro? If yes, what?
Adaptation to the familiar value stream symbols used in Lean Production, as many potential kyro users are already familiar with those.
Note: This has already been implemented with Release 15. Additionally, with the upcoming kyro app, problems on the shop floor can soon be documented and described easily via smartphone (available from the end of June 2025).
If you had to describe kyro in one sentence—what would you say?
kyro = Lean 2 – process optimization fully thought through and put into action!
Why did you decide to integrate kyro into your training programs? What convinced you?
The integrated approach – and it’s a bit of a curse! Now I have to revise all my teaching content because value stream mapping is only the first step. kyro helps with everything that comes after – and that’s what I now need to teach.
Note: Value streams (Makigami) can also be visualized in kyro – but the platform goes further. It actively prompts employees to develop and implement actions, continuously boosting performance – in both production and administration. .
Why do you recommend kyro to your students?
kyro is like a smartphone today. Why would anyone use a landline when a smartphone is easier and offers more functions? Students should realize from the start that kyro is a comprehensive tool that brings improvements to life. And: it embodies the core principle of Lean Thinking.
Lean = creating value without waste
kyro = process optimization without detours and without waste
How has kyro changed the students’ learning process?
It’s still a bit early to say, as we’ve only started using kyro in the current program. However, at the ABB Technical School, our engaged students have already become so familiar with kyro that they’ll be using it in their thesis work. They aren’t using it to its full extent yet – the assignment structure for the semester projects would need to be adjusted (which I plan to discuss for the next cohort).
Thank you very much for the exciting conversation and the valuable exchange about the strengths of kyro!
