ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the steps involved in actually putting together plans for improvement. Locking in on a problem occurs when we entertain doubts about the status quo and formulate specific criticisms. Brainstorming, on the other hand, is people's response to having locked in on a problem; essentially it involves coming to terms with reality. In this sense, just as there are positive and negative mental activities, the functioning of the mind is said to involve the interplay of both locking in and brainstorming. The act of locking in on problems sows the seeds for improvement; strict separation of observing and brainstorming is an invariable condition for generating many improvements. Brainstorming, in which various ideas for improvement are proposed, is a creative process, while judgment, in which specific aspects of ideas are rejected, is a critical process. Surveys are often carried out at specific time intervals to build a comprehensive picture of the status of work-in-process.
