The Continuous Improvement Process (CIP) is an ongoing effort to improve products, services, or processes. It’s a six-step systematic approach to plan, sequence and implement improvement efforts using data and elaborates on the Shewhart Cycle (Plan, Do, Study Act). The CIP provides a common language and methodology which enables understanding the improvement process. The CIP always links back to each organization’s own goals and priorities.

Definition: Continuous improvement is the act of continually looking to improve upon a process, product, or service through small incremental steps.

Why Use a Continuous Improvement Process (CIP)

Implementing a Continuous Improvement Process in an organization should be standard practice now. Studies have shown the main benefits of a CIP are:

• Increase productivity
• Better teamwork and morale
• Greater agility
• Less waste
• More efficiency
• Increase customer satisfaction
• Increase in profit

Phases of the Continuous Improvement Process (CIP)

There are four phases associated with the CIP. These phases are associated with the Shewhart Cycle:

• Phase 1 “Plan”: Plan for change and identify improvement opportunities.
• Phase 2 “Do”: Implement changes identified.
• Phase 3 “Study”: Check to determine if the change had the desired outcome.
• Phase 4 “Act”: If successful, implement across the organization and process.

The Six (6) Steps of the Continuous Improvement Process (CIP)

• Step 1: Identify Improvement Opportunity: Select the appropriate process for improvement.
  • Evaluate Process:
  • Select a challenge/problem
• Step 2: Analyze: Identify and verify the root cause(s).
• Step 3: Take Action: Plan and implement actions that correct the root cause(s).
• Step 4: Study Results: Confirm the actions taken to achieve the target.
• Step 5: Standardize Solution: Ensure the improved level of performance is maintained.
• Step 6: Plan for the Future:
  • Plan what is to be done with any remaining problems
  • Evaluate the team’s effectiveness Set a target for improvement

The Best Time to Start a Continuous Improvement Process (CIP)

There is no bad time to start using a continuous improvement process but the sooner the better. Below is a list of the times I believe a CIP should be implemented:

• Beginning of a new project
• Development of processes and procedures
• Developing a new or improved product, or service
• Planning data collection and analysis
• Implementing any change to a process
• Whenever a failure occurs

Tools that can be used to help with the Continual Improvement Process (CIP) are:

• Benchmarking
• Force Field Analysis
• Flowcharts
• Affinity Diagram
• Delphi Technique
• Pareto Chart
• Cause and Effect Diagram
• Scatter Diagram
• Check Sheet
• Control Chart
• Process Capability Index and Ratio
• ISO 14000

AcqNotes Tutorial

AcqLinks and References:

• [1] Defense AT&L: Continuous Process Improvement within the DoD by David Pearson July 2007
• DoD Directive 5010.42 “DoD-Wide Continuous Process Improvement (CPI) Lean Six Sigma (LSS)” – 15 May 2008
• Air Force Instruction 38-401 “Continuous Improvement Process” – Aug 2019
• Manual: DCMA Manual 4502-05 Continuous Process Improvement – Dec 2020
• Website: DoD Chief Management Office: Continuous Improvement Process

Updated: 6/7/2021

Rank: G4