The Importance of Continuous Improvement in Project Quality
As every project manager knows, there are many project management methodologies that provide useful frameworks for planning and execution of a project. However, achieving consistently high-quality project outcomes requires a commitment to continuous improvement. As you move through your project management career, you’ll understand that quality is not a static goal. You’ll need to refine processes, deliverables and performance on an ongoing basis. This will require you to have more than a basic understanding of continuous improvement, but by committing to the process, you’ll ensure sustained project success.
Here, we look at the benefits of committing to continuous improvement, and highlight some ways in which this can benefit projects in various industries.
Methodologies that underpin continuous improvement
PDCA, Six Sigma, Lean and TQM are frameworks that offer pragmatic approaches to embed continuous improvement into project practices.
Plan-Do-Act-Check
The PDCA cycle provides project managers with an iterative, pragmatic approach to identifying areas that can be enhanced. It can also help suggest ways in which changes can be implemented in a controlled manner. Then, the impact of these changes can be measured with the relevant data. Successful modifications can be scaled or this cycle can be repeated to refine it further.
Six Sigma
As a data driven DMAIC framework (define measure analyse improve and control), six Sigma helps minimise defects and enhances efficiency which can immediately impact the quality of your project deliverables.
Lean
By using lean to eliminate waste and optimise value, you can enhance the quality of your project deliverables. Lean is often implemented to reduce efficiency and improve output.
TQM
Total quality management embeds within company culture a commitment to continuous improvement. This ensures that each and every team member contributes to the enhancement of project quality.
Challenges of committing to continuous improvement
As with any culture shift, there are some hurdles to implementing continuous improvement within the project team. It can often require a growth mindset among leaders.
Overcoming resistance
Everyone knows humans are resistant to change. This inherent tendency can slow down or disrupt the adoption of continuous improvement. Typically, this resistance is rooted in fear of uncertainty. Change management strategies must be implemented carefully to overcome such hurdles. This includes effective communication, a comprehensive training program and engaging stakeholders in the process.
Careful resource allocation
Dedicated resources must be put in place to implement improvement initiatives. Strategic prioritisation of these resources, including time and human resources, can help avoid roadblocks to improvement. Prioritisation of high-impact change resources and the careful use of automation can help drive improvement forward.
Metric choice
Analysis of the metrics to be measured matters. Clear and quantifiable metrics must be identified to ensure you are efficiently tracking what really matters. KPIs must be relevant, achievable and revisited often to make sure improvement processes are yielding effective results and not stagnating.
Sustained commitment
Deeply ingraining continuous improvement into your team is an ongoing effort. Don’t forget to tend to this culture often, and seek input from other teams within the company to help ensure everyone is aware of the benefits to this approach.
How it works – By Industry
Continuous improvement should be something that can be applied in a diverse range of industries.
- Construction – Rigorous planning, material testing and evolving safety standards will help enhance the endurance of the work completed, and will minimise liabilities and potential reworks.
- Software – Agile methodologies allow for continuous improvement of software output. Using feedback loops and implementing rigorous testing, continuous integration and deployment can help enhance the efficiency of your output.
- Healthcare – Minimising medical errors, streamlining workflows and improving patient care is vital. Not only can a commitment to continuous improvement help build a robust delivery, but it can minimise costs and improve efficiency.
As you can see, there are a variety of benefits seen in real world applications of a commitment to continuous improvement. However, it takes effort, analysis and a critical mind. You’ll need to make deliberate efforts to enhance workflows, optimise your use of resources and proactively seek and respond to criticism. Only by doing so can you consistently achieve and rise above stakeholder expectations.