CHAPTER
7

The First Question: Why Do We Do Continuous Improvement?

Inside the operation, we seek continuous improvement. We drive continuous improvement to eliminate non-value-added activities. We target areas such as cost, lead time, quality, on-time delivery, inventory, and other measurements, usually dictated by the finance department. It all makes sense. If we go into an operation, pull the senior staff—supervisors, management, continuous improvement people, Engineering, and other support groups—into a conference room, and ask them, “Why do we do continuous improvement?” we will probably get answers similar to these:

♦ Eliminate waste.

♦ Improve productivity.

♦ Improve quality.

♦ Increase efficiency.

♦ Increase capacity.

♦ Promote teamwork.

♦ In general, foster a continuous improvement culture.