Do Not Stop Improving

The true competitive advantage of world class companies does not come from technology, debt structure, or even research and development.  True competitive advantage comes from a relentless commitment to improve.  Not grand changes every day or dramatic swings in philosophy or new equipment, but a commitment to a constant cycle of learning designed to make the next cycle better than the last.

Make the Next Cycle Better than the Last

Almost any course in lean principles will include Plan, Do, Check, and Act. It is the foundation of the learning that drive continuous improvement.  It is practiced as part of operational excellence in every aspect of the model.  It assumes everything is an experiment designed to help the organization learn what works and what does not, what needs improved and what is an improvement.

It is a continuous process giving the name to continuous improvement. It builds on itself and even advances in failure.  The operational excellence model uses it to identify problems that need solved.  So many of the tools are the basis for a Plan; standardized work, daily management, Total Productive Maintenance and Process Management all strive to establish the Plan.   When Doing does not create the expected outcome from the Plan, great organizations Check the results, understand them and Act.

Do Not Stop Improving

The process doesn’t stop when things get tough. If anything it is needed even more.  World class organizations do not stop the improvement cycle. Even if it feels like the Plan phase has totally changed and needs completely redefined.

As Arthur Ashe once said; “Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can”

Help your organization stay committed to the improvement process and making the next cycle better than the last.

 

 

Brian Mansure

Brian Mansure

Speak Your Mind

*