Question

Continuous improvement tools ensure that there is a proper control of the processes involved in producing a quality product or providing a quality service. These tools also play an important role in the process of system improvement.

Briefly describe the role played by these tools in the PDCA cycle using examples of how individual tools can fit into the process

Answer 1

The continuous improvement tools provide an incremental or a breakthrough improvement to the business operations. This enables a better execution of the business strategies and hence provides effectiveness to the organizational performance. Some of the tools which has been utilized for the continuous improvement are mentioned below.

• Drive
• Process Mapping
• The 5 Whys
• Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) Cycle
• Root Cause Analysis
• DMAIC

The PDCA is a four step management approach which involves plan, DO, Check and Act stages. These stages provide a stage by stage approach for the managerial activities or the organizational development. The continuous improvement tools can be implemented in this approach for enhancing its efficiency. By doing this each stage of the PDCA will be refined and narrowed down towards efficiency.

For example for launching a new product in the market the PDCA would be more beneficial. Consider the DRIVE a continuous improvement tool is integrated with the PDCA cycle of the launching program. This tool enables the management to define and review the data which back up the planning program. Identification and verification part of the DRIVE tool make the DO and CHECK part of PDCA effective and finally Execution part make the Act part of PDCA effective.