Essential to any successful process improvement initiative is sustainability. As I often say, operations is designed to be indefinite. Process improvement is not a one-time thing.
You can never say, “I improve a process and I’m done. I can wash my hands of it.” You can never just wake up next Monday or next quarter and be like I never have to improve.
The key to successful process improvement doesn’t come from merely building something good. It comes from improving tiny little things over time, continuously changing for the better, and making process improvement your culture–a permanent part of your organization.
Effective ways to sustain process improvement over time
Here are some tips to ensure sustained process improvements:
✅Focus on small incremental changes
Instead of making big changes, focus on small gradual changes. The power of process improvement is in the accumulation of small improvements over time. Moreover, making small and achievable changes builds momentum and morale.
Solving problems that are too big to be solved in 30 days can demotivate your team. Focusing on small changes allows your team to reap the benefits of their small wins right away. This gives them the motivation and confidence to rally behind your process improvement efforts.
✅Solve problems that cost nothing
To help you focus your efforts on things that are the least expensive and drive the most ROI in the shortest amount of time, apply problem prioritization. There are many ways to improve processes and solve problems without spending money. By solving problems and pursuing ideas that are inexpensive, you can remove the financial barriers to your process improvement efforts.
✅Communicate progress and celebrate successes
Share the progress made with your team and celebrate successes to build momentum and maintain motivation. High employee engagement is crucial to the success and sustainability of your process improvement efforts.
When employees see and feel the fruits of their efforts and have positive feelings about your process improvement initiative, they’re going to want to put in extra effort to help the organization succeed.
✅Regular review and monitor progress, make adjustments as needed
Continuously monitor the KPIs you are using to measure the effectiveness of your process improvement and identify areas for improvement. Use the information gathered from your monitoring and evaluation efforts to make necessary adjustments to your processes. This may include changing procedures, implementing new tools, or modifying your approach.
Ultimately, establish a process-based culture
To sustain process improvements over time, you should build a culture around process. As a leader, you must ensure that everyone in the organization understands the importance of continuous improvement and is committed to it.
Provide your people with the tools, support, and opportunities for them to contribute to process improvement. Teach them not just to follow a process but also how to build one. When employees take ownership of processes, they become more invested in the long-term success of your organization and its improvement efforts.
In your service,
Hilary Corna
