Solution
David answered on
Nov 26 2019
Continuous Improvement Plan
Introduction
The Continuous Improvement (CI) Plan is a sequence of steps (taken one after the other) to improve the existing system for better results. The steps begin with the analysis of available data based on past history of trends and their practical impact as observed in the past. Later on identifying the possibilities of improvement, implementation and review of the feedback. The cycle keeps on revolving in a circular manner that’s why the Improvement is said to be Continuous.
According to Kaizen (2017), the CI Plan considers the existing Standard framework of processes going on in the organization, and revolves around a basic model –“Identify, Plan, Implement, and Review”. In the manufacturing and Business, the concept of Continuous Improvement is formalized by Lean, Agile and Kaizen Methodologies. Based on four fundamental stages, the most popular among the three is Kaizen Management Concept which elaborates each step in more extensive manner.
According to Kaizen Management Philosophy and Implementation Strategy, the Continuous Improvement Cycle can be described as a method of uplifting the quality of work culture in companies to produce a better output and minimizing the wastage.
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THE CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT PLAN
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The process of CI Plan keeps on going in a cyclic manner passing through all the steps one-after-the-other because the chances of improvement are always there in every company. The CI plan includes seven major steps (Kaizen 2017) :
1. Identifying the Problems: For improvements in cu
ent situation, we need to find out the problems. In Latino Engineering case, the complaints of customers can be used to identify the problems in cu
ent situation. As the company began to receive many complaints from its clients just within 12 months of handover, the complaints of customers need to be addressed seriously. The complaints are: Defective Engineering Equipments, Poor design and Development follow up, too long turnaround time for issue resolution, Non responsive customer care support, and delivery of wrong engineering equipment.
2. Develop Measures to Counter: Once we know the problems, it is easier to go in depth of each and every problem to find out their root cause. As Medinilla (2016) postulates that ‘’The problem of defective engineering equipments and poor designing can be solved by focusing on the framework of designing and manufacturing unit, Longer Turnaround time for issue resolution can be sorted out by Servicing Units, and Non responsive Customer care response can be co
ected by Improving the Customer care services and the concerned departments. For each and every department specific measures must be implemented to deliver quality work”.
3. Determine Root Cause: According to Medinilla (2016) “Behind each problem, there is a Primary cause. It can be inefficient design, inefficient testing, lazy staff, lack of resources, lack of facilities, or low salary”. All the problems must be deeply studied in an elaborate manner to find out their link into their probable root cause.
4. Hypothesize Solution: After determining the root cause, we can find out an approximate solution to each cause. By making a list of all the points of solution, we can plan to implement it.
5. Test Hypothesis: The implementation of solution can be tested by estimating the output. An idea can be proposed about estimate performance of improved product. The actual results may be a little high or low to the approximate hypothesis.
6. Implement Solution: The proposed solution must be implemented to respected departments. And the performance should be recorded with feedback.
7. Standardize the work: The newly implemented policies and solutions must be abso
ed in the organization and its work culture. Sufficient training must be imparted to the concerned departments regarding time management, and delivering quality services to the client(Wheeler 2016).
As Kaizen (2017) proposed, “By continuously observing and implementing best practices , the companies can find out various ways to continue their routine activities normally along with analyzing the business opportunities that can be along the way”.
Possible Risks:
1. The Analysis is time bound: To improve the efficiency continuously, many innovative ideas may require more time for analysis and implementation. But as we have only three months to co
ect the situation, we may go out of time.
2. Imposing extra work on employees can overload them: Loads of work can make the work culture boring and uninteresting (Gerard 2017).
3. Project cost may go high: Using modern techniques and tools to analyze the project may increase the cost of production which may lead to an overall increase in prices of equipment. And initially, the market not being in favor, may cause low demand as well. It requires efficient Resource planning, Cost estimation, Budgeting, Cost Control measures using cost control software tools, to avoid cost ove
uns (Cleopatra Enterprise 2017).
4. Employees if not ready to learn new technologies, may prove inefficient, outdated and incompetent (Gladwell 2002).
Assumptions:
Collect relevant data from past years Review the cu
ent Performance Analyze & Compare the data in form of trends Identify the present challenges Identify Root causes Plan Improvement Strategies Implement Feedback.
Implementation Plan
As a Project...