Continuous Improvement

Abstract

Continuous Improvement (CI) is a transformation philosophy that is correlated directly with certain methodologies and strategies executed that provide with constant enhancement and development of services, products, and processes . It also aims at minimizing cost reduction for companies and businesses and eliminating root causes of problems. This concept often named as Continuous Improvement Process (CIP) is implemented to increase the company’s profit and competitiveness in the short term in addition to sustain these in the long one . William Edwards Deming (October 14, 1900 – December 20, 1993) is generally considered the father of Continuous Improvement, however the person behind the first breakthrough correlated with CI was Walter Shewhart. He is considered one of the first pioneers of Total Quality Management (TQM) . He developed the straight-line process in 1939 in terms of statistical control for specification, production and finally inspection regarding quality control (QA) for products. The method was transformed to a circular model called Shewhart’s cycle the same year . The model was then modified by William Edwards to the Deming Wheel that himself presented in 1950 to an eight-day seminar in Japan sponsored by the Japanese Union of Scientists and Engineers (JUSE) . Masaaki Imai the famous inventor of Ky-zen (good-change) in English states in his book ‘’ Kaizen (Ky’zen), the Key to Japan’s Competitive Success’’ that Japanese executives reformed Demings wheel to the Plan-Design-Check-Act (PDCA) tool