What Is Continuous Process Improvement?

Continuous Process Improvement (CPI) is an ongoing, systematic approach to improving process performance. The goal of CPI efforts is to increase the quality of an organization's outputs, while reducing waste and activities that do not add value.

Name

The term Continuous Process Improvement is an outgrowth of the Japanese kaizen movement. Translated as "improvement," kaizen refers to the Japanese philosophy of continuous improvement, and the accompanying measures to achieve that improvement.

History

After World War II, American statisticians were brought to Japan to restore that nation's industrial infrastructure. Two statisticians in particular, W. Edwards Deming and Joseph M. Juran, are credited with spurring Japan's kaizen revolution of the 1950s.

Function

Commonly used tools for continuous improvement include Six Sigma, Lean Six Sigma, Total Quality Management and the four step Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) model. No matter the tool chosen, each approach assists CPI practitioners in identifying improvement opportunities, analyzing those opportunities and implementing solutions.

Features

Improved process performance can be a result of either small incremental change, or larger, more dramatic breakthrough change.

Considerations

A direct alignment between organizational goals and processes should be a driving force behind continuous process improvement efforts. In addition, clear time lines and objectives must be set prior to implementation.

References

• U.S. Army CPI Knowledge Center
• ASQ: Learn About Quality
• The Origin of Japanese Management and Kaizen

Resources

• United States Marine Corps CPI Guidebook