ABSTRACT
Continuous improvement is a term in common use throughout most industries including the construction sector. It can become a meaningless term unless it is linked to organizational strategy, driven by performance measurement, has a defined structure, a chosen approach, a methodology and an associated toolkit. Good programme and systems management will be essential, as will communications with people inside and outside on what the chosen approach and even ‘brand’ means. The stage requires the careful choice of a pragmatic, fact-based improvement methodology which, hopefully, will yield rapid results using proven methodologies, supported by fact and data-based, hands-on tools and techniques to be recommended. Depending on the technology, it is frequently useful to establish the association, if any, between two parameters or factors. A useful way of mapping the inputs that affect quality is the cause and effect diagram, also known as the Ishikawa diagram or the fishbone diagram.
