Continuous improvement or continual improvement is the ongoing improvement of products, services, or processes through incremental and breakthrough improvements. Among the most widely used tools for the continuous improvement model is a four-step quality assurance method—the plan-do-check-act (PDCA) cycle:
Plan: Identify an opportunity and plan for change.
Do: Implement the change on a small scale.
Check: Use data to analyze the results of the change and determine whether it made a difference.
Act: If the change was successful, implement it on a wider scale and continuously assess your results. If the change did not work, begin the cycle again.
The continuous improvement model will help improve quality, cost, and improve customer satisfaction. Usually when we think of quality management, we think of manufacturing; however, this can be true in all industries. Check out this video about Dominos:
Main Post Instructions
Respond to the following points:
1. How did Domino’s use the continuous improvement model, specifically PCDA to improve quality, cost, and improve customer satisfaction?
2. Why is continuous improvement such an important factor in gaining a competitive advantage in the global market?