As a small or medium-sized manufacturer, you’re constantly juggling different key components of your business. You have to continuously produce high-quality products, meet delivery deadlines, satisfy customers, and keep your workforce happy. On top of these responsibilities, you need to operate efficiently and keep your expenses in check. Without the right methodologies, this may sound like a tall order. Fortunately, focusing on continuous improvement can help you in all of these areas.
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Continuous improvement is the process of identifying shortcomings within your manufacturing products, workflows, and services and resolving them systematically. Continuous improvement aims to drive efficiency, enhance quality, and eliminate waste. As its name suggests, continuous improvement is meant to be done on an ongoing basis. You should never stop searching for ways to optimize your operations. Over time, gradual improvements can significantly impact your company’s competitive advantage and bottom line.
When it comes to continuous improvement, good intentions can only take you so far. Instead, you need to follow a tried-and-true method for pinpointing and implementing the most impactful changes possible.
The good news is you don’t have to develop your own methodologies from scratch — process improvement experts have already created everything you need. The most popular continuous improvement models are as follows:
- Lean Manufacturing
- Plan, Do, Check, and Act Cycle (PDCA Cycle)
- Six Sigma
- The Theory of Constraints
Strategic Planning for Manufacturers: A Comprehensive Guide
How are you planning for the future?
