ABSTRACT
Although a process improvement system promotes continuous improvement, it does so in discrete steps based on a series of process improvement projects. To be effective, a methodology needs to be adopted to ensure that projects follow a formal structure. This structure also helps familiarize participants with reasons why improvements are sought and how recommendations are made. Kaizen is an approach to process improvement that seeks good results quickly, focusing on minimizing wasteful practices. DMAIC is an approach to process improvement that uses a deliberate, often quantitative, structure that seeks to improve the firm’s profitability. Lean Six Sigma can be used as a framework that effectively combines the Kaizen and DMAIC structures. A process improvement project can be motivated by many objectives, including those that are financially quantifiable and those that are intangible. Process improvement projects can fail if a project team does not take measures to ensure that improvements are sustained. Communicating results of improvement projects to all stakeholders helps to encourage more participation.
