Techniques for continuous improvement and feedback

When we looked at What is continuous improvement and feedback? at the start of the chapter, we briefly discussed the use of Kaizen and there was a quick mention of Six Sigma, which are both methodologies you can use to take steps towards continuous improvement. What about before you get to that stage though?

Let's now look at techniques you can use for continuous improvement.

Continuous improvement processes

As we discussed in the previous section, the PDSA cycle stands for Plan, Do, Study, and Act. Behind this is a six-step model that is a systematic approach to planning, sequencing, and improving efforts using data and is an elaboration of the PDSA model.

The six steps used are as follows:

1. Identify opportunities
2. Analyze the root cause
3. Take action
4. Study the results
5. Standardize the solution
6. Plan for the future

These distinct steps are sequential and an essential part of a continuous...