What is meant by “Continuous Improvement?”
Continuous Improvement (CI) is an ongoing effort to make incremental improvements to products, services or processes over time. Processes are constantly audited and modified based on their efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability. CI can be applied to improving processes in manufacturing, engineering, leadership and supporting business processes. CI is often referred to as a management process, but this does not mean that it needs to be executed by managers. Continuous Improvement dictates the decisions and directions of the processes being improved and of its own application.
Key elements for successful CI initiatives include:
- CI Project Creation. Identifying the processes that are to be targeted for CI efforts
- Scheduled Audits. Defining the manner and frequency in which the processes will be audited
- Provide Feedback. Creating a mechanism for reporting feedback on the findings in the audits
- Make Adjustments. Developing and deploying tactics for implementing necessary changes to the processes with an eye on sustaining these changes for the long term
One successful approach to CI is known as Kaizen (kai meaning “change” and zen meaning “good”). The purpose of Kaizen is to identify and eliminate suboptimal processes with an emphasis on incremental, positive steps rather than revolutionary leaps. Other CI methodologies include 5S, Lean, Six Sigma, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), and Root Cause Analysis.
How is Continuous Improvement applied?
Leading organizations across the globe practice a wide variety of CI methodologies. Organizations have responded to competitive pressures and recognized that there is always room for improvement. CI initiatives aren’t simply philosophical, but quite practical to standard daily operations regardless of industry. CSI’s Process Based Leadership® (PBL) methodology provides organizations with a foundation for great strides and sustainment of their CI initiatives. As one successful client put it, “PBL is the mortar between our CI bricks.”
Getting Started
Contact us now to discuss how Process Based Leadership® can help your organizations take your CI initiatives to the next level.
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Process Based Leadership provides organizations with a foundation for great strides and sustainment of their CI initiatives.
