WHAT ARE CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT AND CHANGE MANAGEMENT?
Continuous Improvement refers to the systematic approaches that focus on enhancing processes, products, and services through incremental and breakthrough improvements, while ensuring that changes are smoothly and successfully implemented to achieve lasting benefits. Continuous improvement means change is always taking place, so change management refers to the systematic approach focusing on helping individuals navigate and adapt to changes within an organisation, ensuring a smoother transition and increased acceptance of new processes or ideas.
What are the benefits of Continuous Improvement and Change Management?
Optimised processes
Enhanced product quality
Fostered innovation
Increased adaptability
How did Continuous Improvement and Change Management begin?
The concepts have ancient roots, but formally, Continuous Improvement gained traction from methodologies like Kaizen post World War II in Japan. Change Management, on the other hand, has been influenced by various management theories throughout the 20th century, particularly as organisations recognised the need to manage change effectively in an evolving business landscape.
How do Continuous Improvement and Change Management interrelate?
Continuous improvement drives changes, improving the quality of processes or products, whilst Change Management focuses on improving the acceptance of change among those needing to adopt; ensuring that changes are sustained and effective within the organisation.
Can these concepts be applied across all sectors?
Yes, whether manufacturing, services, or public sector, all organisations can benefit from improving continuously and managing change efficiently.
What tools are commonly associated with Continuous Improvement?
Tools include Value Stream Mapping, Root Cause Analysis, and Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), among others.
Why is data-driven decision making important in Continuous Improvement?
Data offers objective insights into where improvements are needed and measures the effectiveness of implemented changes.
What makes successful Change Management?
Successful Change Management involves clear communication, stakeholder engagement, and training, all geared towards easing the transition and gaining buy-in. Our Top Tips include:
- Clear reasons for the change.
- Strong leaders to guide it.
- Include people it affects.
- Talk often about what’s happening.
- Help and training for everyone.
- Listen to worries and fix them.
- Adjust the plan if needed.
- Show success with examples.
- Check progress with measurements.
- Stay patient and keep going.
What organisational factors present barriers to adopting Continuous Improvement and Change Management, and how are these best solved?
Barriers to adopting Continuous Improvement and Change Management can include resistance to change from people impacted by change, a lack of clear leadership commitment, insufficient resources or training, and an ingrained organisational culture that resists new methods. Overcoming these challenges involves promoting open communication, securing visible leadership support, providing adequate training and resources, and gradually instilling a culture of adaptability and continuous learning within the organisation.
How do I establish whether my organisation is ready for Continuous Improvement and Change Management?
Assessing your organisation’s readiness involves evaluating current processes, gauging leadership and team willingness for change, identifying existing skills and knowledge gaps, and determining the availability of resources and tools. A comprehensive readiness assessment, perhaps using surveys and workshops, can provide insights into the organisation’s current state and highlight areas for initial focus. Engaging external experts for an unbiased perspective can further validate the assessment.
How do I acquire skills in these areas?
Training in areas like Strategic and Operational Improvement, Process Data Skills with Excel, Advanced Black Belt Tools and Facilitating Improvement Workshops can be pursued through our various format options of Self Study Online, Virtual Open Classroom, or In-Company Training.
Strategic and
Operational Improvement
This comprehensive programme is 2 days of classroom training.
Facilitating and
Leading Change
Become an effective change manager. 3 days of classroom training.
Data Driven Insights
and Decisions
Use data to drive sound decision making. 2 days of classroom training.
