Achieving Continuous Improvement in an Organization
Introduction
Continuous improvement is generally an approach towards the improvement of products, services as well as processes. Originally, organizations were most concerned about their outputs. However, they have come to realize that the inputs as well as processes have a direct influence on the produced outputs. This implies that improvement should be done right beginning with the input whether it is for manufactured goods or services. Additionally, it is the process which transforms the inputs to outputs. The processes should also be continuously improved if the desired outputs are to be obtained.
Organizations have various sections and all these should be included in this process. Continuous improvement and change will be obtained by use of various tools. For instance there is the PDCA (plan, do, check, act) cycle which serves as a guide to managers (Pastinen, 2010). This means that the organization first needs to identify the opportunities that they have and make plans for the changes. Implementation is the process that follows the planning. All that has been implemented has to be evaluated so as to make sure that it works as planned and for the benefit of the organization. This should then be monitored and controlled and at the same time suggestions for improvements made and the improvement suggestions taken for further improvements.
Other tools that can be used for continuous improvement include the six sigma, which is a measure of defects. According to the six sigma, the allowed limit is 3.4 defects per million chances. This is almost like having zero defects. It is through this that the quality of the products or services is continually improved. One of the areas being considered in this proposal for continuous improvement is quality and this can be measured by the six sigma model.
The total quality management is another tool that can be used for ensuring continuous improvement. Total quality management implies that all the areas and functions of the organization are integrated in achieving quality. Here communication is very important. This will involve communication among all people in the organization. Total quality management takes into consideration all the five areas where change needs to be implemented.
Total quality management calls for the involvement of all the people in the organization (Dahlgaard, Kristensen & Kanji, 2007). Quality principles have to be communicated to all the people. It is the staff who are involved in implementing the decisions that are made regarding quality and thereby they should be involved in the process of making these decisions. To be able to achieve total quality management, employees have to be empowered and this also incorporates motivation. This can further be achieved by rewards and recognitions for example monetary rewards, promotions and gifts.
Change in technology also works well in total quality management. One of the goals of total quality management is reduction of costs and this can be by way of minimizing wastages. By adopting advanced technology, automation sets in and wastages are minimized. These wastages are also minimized by having technology for recycling of these wastes. In continual improvement, the issue of positive corporate image sets. Organizations do not operate in isolation but as part of a larger community. Once they have offered quality to their consumers and conserved the environment by minimizing released wastes, then they achieve a positive corporate image.
Strategic management comes in that to be able to achieve improvement, managers have to make plans for the organization. These should be plans that are subject to change following the dynamism of the business environment. Otherwise, plans that are rigid do not lead to continuous improvement. Making strategic plans helps managers in decision making and it is through these plans that the organization has forecast on the future (Locke & Jain, 1995). These plans have to be in alignment with the mission, vision, values as well as the objectives of the firm. Otherwise, conflicts will set in and suppress the process of continuous improvement.
Qualifications and experience
Confidence is hereby expressed that the discussion selected is the best for business operation. Every business wants to succeed and should be able to fit in the environment that it operates in. this is a project that is viable to all organizations. Whether they are profit making organizations, educational institutions, government institutions, health care institutions, or even not-for-profit organizations, they need to make improvements to meet the market demands.
There are managers in organizations who will frequently wonder why their organizations fail yet they think that they have managed well. This projects gives them insights on the areas that need to be addressed. With the support of all the people in an organization starting from the top management, then organizations are bound to improve on their productivity.
By carrying out research, it is possible to determine the challenges that various organizations face. Management and leadership should go hand in hand. Managers should shun from the previously held believes that since they are people on authority, they should be entirely focused on giving orders. What is operational in organizations today is leading by examples and having good manager-employee relations.
References
Dahlgaard, J.J., Kristensen, K. & Kanji, G.K. (2007). Fundamentals of Total Quality Management: Process Analysis and Improvement. 2nd Ed. Routledge publishers.
Locke, E.A. & Jain, V.K. (1995). Organizational learning and continuous improvement. International Journal of Organizational Analysis. Volume 3 (1), p. 45-68.
Pastinen, M. (2010). High-Performance Process Improvement. Springer publishers.
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