Continuous improvement is probably the most powerful concept to guide management.  It is a term not well understood in many organisations, although that must begin to change if those organisations are to survive. 

The concept requires a systematic approach with the following components:

• planning  the processes and their inputs;
• providing the inputs;
• operating the processes;
• evaluating the outputs;
• examining the performance of the processes;
• modifying the processes and their inputs. 

A structured approach to making improvements is provided by the DRIVE model:

• Define the problem;
• Review the information;
• Investigate the problem;
• Verify the solution; and
• Execute the change.

People working in a process must know whether it is capable of meeting the requirements, know whether it is actually doing so at any time, and make corrections when it is not.  Simple SPC techniques are used, not only as a tool kit, but as a strategy for reducing variability, part of the continuous improvement approach.

If all employees are to participate in making the company or organisation successful (directors and managers included), then they must also be trained in the basics of disciplined management.  They must be trained to:

E   Evaluate - the situation and define their objectives

P   Plan - to fully achieve those objectives

D   Do - implement the plans

C   Check - that the objectives are being achieved, and

A   Amend - take corrective action if they are not.

The Helix of Continuous Improvement

This basic approach needs to be backed up with good project management, planning techniques and problem solving methods, which can be taught to anyone in a relatively short period of time.  The project management enables changes to be made successfully and the problem solving helps people to remove the obstacles in their way.  Directors and managers need this training as much as other employees.