Do you always want to get the most out of your company? Then you are probably already working with the continuous improvement method or planning to start using it soon. The improvement cycle is an essential part of this, constantly reminding the company to focus on potential improvement points and appropriate solutions. What an improvement cycle might look like for your company and what you can achieve with it? We will explain this in detail, with some extra attention to the best methodologies to use.
What is an improvement cycle?
An improvement cycle can be seen as a structured method to continuously improve processes. An improvement cycle typically consists of four phases: Plan, Do, Check, and Act. These improvement cycle phases are also known as Plan, Do, Check, Act (PDCA). In the PDCA cycle, improvement goals and strategies are established, plans are implemented, results are measured and evaluated, and adjustments are made for further improvement. This way, the PDCA cycle leads the way within a culture of continuous improvement. The DMAIC model is also widely used to identify problems, analyse causes, implement solutions, and control results. Thus, the DMAIC model is also a qualitative improvement cycle.
The benefits of an improvement cycle
The methodical approach of an improvement cycle, such as PDCA or DMAIC, brings a lot of clarity and discipline within the improvement process. This makes objectives clearer and more sustainable results are achieved. The improvement cycle promotes a culture of continuous improvement, resulting in greater efficiency and higher quality. This same culture also leads to more employee engagement and early recognition of potential problems or errors. Quality is increased, time is saved, costs are reduced, and ultimately, customer satisfaction is raised. Overall, the entire business process is improved as a result of process conformance.
How to implement an improvement cycle in your company?
When starting with the continuous improvement method, it is important to choose the right methodologies to support you. Suitable methodologies for improvement cycles include the PDCA cycle and the DMAIC model. Both PDCA and DMAIC systematically address problems and enable continuous optimization of processes and better insights that help with audits, among other things. Since both methodologies use a structured approach, your company can respond more quickly and effectively to changing market and customer needs. Below, we delve deeper into both methodologies.
PDCA cycle
As mentioned above, the PDCA cycle consists of four phases: Plan, Do, Check, and Act. By continually following these four phases, you set continuous improvement in motion for your organization. We explain the goal of each PDCA phase in more detail below.
- Plan: Start by identifying a problem or improvement opportunity. Set clear goals and develop an action plan with steps to achieve the desired improvements.
- Do: Time for action! Implement the plan on a small scale to test its effectiveness. Involve employees in the changes and goals and provide the necessary resources and training to realize everything.
- Check: Measure and analyse the results of the actions taken. Then compare these with the predefined goals to determine if the improvement was successful.
- Act: Adjust the plan based on the comparisons made in the Check phase. Are the results as desired? Then implement the improved approach more broadly within the company and continuously monitor performance. After this, start again with phase one to further optimize the improvement opportunity or tackle a new problem.
DMAIC Model
DMAIC stands for Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, and Control. As with the PDCA cycle, the goal of DMAIC is to repeatedly go through all phases to pursue continuous improvement. Below, you can read more about the core of each phase in the DMAIC model.
- Define: In this first phase, define the problem or improvement that needs to be addressed. Assemble a project team and identify customer requirements and business goals.
- Measure: Next, collect data to better understand current performance. Use measurable criteria and establish a baseline to effectively measure improvements.
- Analyse: Analyse the data to uncover the causes of the problem. Use qualitative tools that employ statistics to highlight core issues and improvement opportunities.
- Improve: Develop solutions for the identified problems and implement these to improve results. Regularly conduct tests and extensively involve employees in the process.
- Control: Monitor the improvements to ensure that the solutions devised work in the long term. Set up control systems and conduct periodic evaluations to ensure continuity.
Getting Started with an Improvement Cycle
EZ-GO is also set up to work according to PDCA. Tasks can be planned, executed, evaluated, and resolved. For example, improvement actions can be reported, such as if a suction cup is checked weekly but is found to be worn several times during inspections. The improvement action created by the operator allows for evaluating the quality of the suction cups or increasing the inspection frequency as a solution. For a better overall picture of the possibilities of EZ-GO, you can always request a demo from us. This will give you more insight into how EZ-GO can optimize and simplify your improvement trajectory (or trajectories).