Continuous Improvement

Continuous Improvement

Continuous Improvement



By




Researchers: David Smith


Title: Continuous Improvement


Year: 2011
“Life-cycle analysis is the total phases through which an item passes from the time it is initially developed until the time it is either consumed in use or dispose of as being excess to all known material requirements.”(Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms, 2006). Continuous improvement is defined as an effort to improve products, services or processes. (American Society for Quality, 2011) It also has tools like systems, methods, and guidelines that create or help maintain the ongoing process of improvement. Many companies have turn to continuous improvement to save money, increase revenue, and create a more proficient life-cycle. Total Quality Management, Six Sigma, and Kaizen are systems that help them accomplish these daunting tasks.







As stated in the abstract, continuous improvement is defined as an ongoing effort to improve products, services or processes. (American Society for Quality, 2011) Some people in the business world interchange continual and continuous improvement. The difference between the two is continual improvement covers general processes but also point out the processes that are not continuous which covers many areas. Conversely, continuous improvement is a subcomponent of continual improvement which it focuses on a specific process. Continuous improvement is related to statistical analysis allowing companies to use in their life-cycle process. Life-cycle analysis is sometimes referred to as the cradle to the grave analysis bring everything together in a process to maintain and grow. “The typical life cycle consists of a series of stages running from extraction of raw materials, through design and formulation, processing, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, use, re-use, recycling and, ultimately, waste disposal.”(Jensen, Hoffman, Møller, Schmidt, 1997) During this process, companies are...

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