Continuous improvement is a key aspect of a quality management system.
Continuous improvement (CI) is a process, a journey and a necessity for lean systems in business. It is absolutely key to sustained process excellence, and is as much a methodology as an industrial engineering disciple.
How do we begin? What is Continuous Improvement and how do we implement it?
Ultimately, CI results from an organizational culture change. We must set a CI culture from the top down. The CEO and those who are visible business leaders must lead the charge. We must embrace change, and CI can be a challenge, as we often seek comfort and believe our processes are sound or can be patched.
CI has a model. According to the ASQ, CI is centered around planning, doing, thinking and acting. We find a process we want to improve, work on it in cross-functional teams, interpret gathered data and then take further action. It is akin to the scientific method, and requires buyin from all groups and co-located organizations. We cannot pencil whip our assessments, we need to make actual improvements, gather real data and monitor this process to earn our keep. Cai is a fulltime job that can be driven by our internal Quality Department, but must be worked on by all departments.
CI never ends. It is part of the organization. The processes we touch are monitored and checked. Make sure to communicate throughout the process and ensure that all departments work together. CI can involve 5S, engineering, process management improvements and leadership analysis. Be ready for anything and embrace change. Change can be difficult, but it is worth it.
I am almost 40, and have been involved with CI throughout my entire career in construction, manufacturing and healthcare. I have been a departmental participant and have gathered and interpreted data. It is a way if life that I highly suggest you employ and embrace in your workplace.
Originally published in my blurt account at the link below:
https://blurt.blog/blurtopian/@dominion01/continuous-improvement-an-essential-business-philosophy
Also published in my Steemit account at myblurtrides1.
Sources:
Images from Pixabay.
1.https://kanbanize.com/blog/how-continuous-improvement-can-benefit-your-business/