2.3. Five Keys for Continuous Improvement

In the past, process improvement initiatives have existed in stovepipes associated with specific techniques. That is, there were lean engineering advocates, ISO quality experts, CMMI enthusiasts, and so on. Our integrated viewpoint, however, has moved us to a more methodology-independent level. We can look across all of the tools and techniques in all of these initiatives, and select the unique set of approaches that best meets our needs.

The five keys that we discuss in this section are not keys to five separate doors; rather, it is their use in appropriate combinations that will open various doors on the path to continuous change and improvement. When improvements are undertaken using a single approach, the “big picture” for process improvement is obscured. By integrating the various tools and methodologies, we are able to address a wider array of problems than if we stayed within the process improvement box with which we happen to have the most familiarity.