Unit 6: Continuous Improvement Methodologies
Expert-defined terms from the Professional Certificate in Performance Management in Quality Control course at London School of Business and Administration. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.
Balanced Scorecard (BSC) #
A strategic planning and management system used to align business activities to the vision and strategy of the organization, improve internal and external communications, and monitor organization performance against strategic goals. The BSC has four perspectives: financial, customer, internal process, and learning and growth.
Continuous Improvement (CI) #
A systematic approach to identifying and eliminating waste and variability in processes, with the goal of increasing efficiency, reducing costs, and improving quality. CI is an ongoing process and involves all levels of the organization.
Deming's 14 Points #
A set of principles for management developed by W. Edwards Deming to improve the effectiveness of organizations. The 14 points include creating constancy of purpose, cease dependence on inspection to achieve quality, improve every process, and institute leadership.
ISO 9001 #
A standard for quality management systems developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The standard provides a framework for organizations to ensure that their products and services consistently meet customer requirements and improve customer satisfaction.
Kaizen #
A Japanese term meaning "change for the better." Kaizen is a continuous improvement strategy that involves all employees in making small, incremental improvements to processes and practices on an ongoing basis.
Lean #
A methodology for eliminating waste in processes and improving efficiency. Lean focuses on identifying and eliminating non-value-added activities and creating flow in processes.
PDCA (Plan #
Do-Check-Act) Cycle: A model for continuous improvement developed by Walter A. Shewhart and popularized by W. Edwards Deming. The PDCA cycle involves planning a change, implementing the change, checking the results, and acting on what is learned.
Process Capability #
A measure of the ability of a process to produce output within specified limits. Process capability is typically expressed as a ratio of the width of the process tolerance to the natural variability of the process.
Quality Control (QC) #
A process of ensuring that a product or service meets specified requirements. QC involves monitoring and controlling a process to ensure that it consistently produces output within specified limits.
Root Cause Analysis (RCA) #
A problem-solving technique used to identify the underlying causes of a problem or defect. RCA involves systematically analyzing data and information to identify the root cause of a problem and taking action to eliminate it.
Six Sigma #
A methodology for improving quality and reducing defects in processes. Six Sigma involves using statistical tools and techniques to identify and eliminate sources of variability in processes.
Statistical Process Control (SPC) #
A method for monitoring and controlling a process using statistical techniques. SPC involves plotting data over time and using statistical rules to detect when a process is out of control and taking action to bring it back into control.
Total Quality Management (TQM) #
A philosophy and set of principles for managing an organization to achieve high levels of quality. TQM involves all employees in the continuous improvement of processes and practices, with the goal of increasing customer satisfaction.
Value Stream Mapping #
A tool used to visualize the flow of materials and information in a process. Value stream mapping helps organizations identify opportunities for improvement and eliminate waste in processes.
Variability #
A measure of the amount that a process or measurement varies over time. Variability can be caused by common causes, which are inherent in the process, or special causes, which are outside the process.
Voice of the Customer (VoC) #
A process for collecting and analyzing customer feedback to understand their needs and expectations. VoC helps organizations identify opportunities for improvement and develop products and services that meet customer requirements.
Waste #
Any activity that does not add value to a product or service. Waste can take many forms, including overproduction, transportation, inventory, motion, waiting, over-processing, and defects.
One example of how these terms can be applied in practice is through the use of… #
By identifying key performance indicators (KPIs) in each of the four perspectives (financial, customer, internal process, and learning and growth), organizations can monitor their performance and make data-driven decisions to improve quality and reduce waste.
Another practical application of these terms is through the use of Six Sigma met… #
By using statistical tools and techniques to identify and eliminate sources of variability in processes, organizations can improve process capability and reduce the number of defects in their products and services.
One challenge in implementing continuous improvement methodologies is getting bu… #
Continuous improvement requires a culture of continuous learning and improvement, and it is important to involve all employees in the process. This can be achieved through training and education, as well as through the use of tools such as value stream mapping and root cause analysis to engage employees in problem-solving and improvement efforts.
In conclusion, this glossary provides a detailed and comprehensive overview of k… #
By understanding these terms and applying them in practice, learners can improve the quality of their products and services, reduce waste, and increase customer satisfaction.