Seven steps to continuous improvement
In our recent LinkedIn poll, 83% of respondents said driving continuous improvement was their top process challenge. We look at how you can tackle the problem, and share an example of a successful transformation.
Continuous improvement helps drive growth, innovation and versatility
It’s a practice that, as the name suggests, involves ongoing evaluation and revision of processes and business systems. There’s no time limit or deadline. The aim is to make smaller improvements more regularly, rather than run a big one-off project.
Continuous improvement is as much about people’s mindset as it is about tools, techniques and processes. It requires a culture that’s open to change and ideas; employee engagement at all levels is a vital component.
Take these steps to realise continuous improvement
- Define the process/es from end to end (as-is), using discovery and mapping tools like crowd-driven surveys
- Identify the elements or steps to eliminate, add or upgrade. Note: removing redundant tasks is just as important as adding new ones
- Model the new process incorporating your changes (create a to-be process)
- Analyse the effect of your changes using scenario models and simulation. Amend the timeframes in your modelling to assess the changes’ longevity and consistency
- Another way to evaluate amendments is to use a digital twin (a virtual copy of your organisation). However this can be expensive and take time to develop so isn’t mandatory; modelling and simulation should cover most businesses’ needs
- Communicate the results, using transformation maps and dashboards, to gain buy-in and generate the collaborative culture in which continuous improvement thrives
- Continue monitoring and adjusting the process – start the cycle again
Case study: how a financial services organisation achieved continuous improvement
The problem
A financial services organisation wanted to transform its customer-facing processes from ad-hoc and siloed, to continuously improving. It also sought an easier way to implement the newly transformed work practices.
The solution
The first step was to create a continuous improvement team. This team realised that a key part of the transformation was to document as-is and to-be processes, and find a simple way to roll them out.
They used the capabilities of BusinessOptix to capture risks, illustrate current and future states, and share and review processes.
The results
Significant improvements in process design, rollout and management, including:
- Process documentation
- Easy capture and sharing of process changes
- Collaborative development of new and optimised processes
Take your first step
The BusinessOptix platform will help you drive a culture of continuous improvement. Let us show you how: claim your free BusinessOptix demo here.