Improvement results from the application of knowledge. That’s why it’s essential to constantly learn and develop. How can we bring about significant change without the proper knowledge?
Five fundamental principles of improvement:
Know why you need to improve;
Use a tool to see if improvement is happening;
Think about a change that actually brings about an improvement;
Simulate the change before implementing it;
Know when the change should be permanent.
Observing the impact of the change is one way of assessing it, but documenting it makes the process more effective!
One process affects another in a company, which is why a change needs to be well thought out.
What would be an improvement for one area can become a nuisance for another and even damage the customer’s perception of the service provided.
Let’s give an example:
Your company’s purchasing department has decided to change the supplier of cleaning products because it’s cheaper. However, your Hospital Hygiene company provides services in a hospital where the Infection Control Service validates all the products used. This change will have a direct impact on your client!
According to Deming, in-depth knowledge is made up of 4 parts:
• Systemic vision;
• Understanding variation;
• Knowledge building;
• The human side of change.
Systemic Vision: Everything is interconnected within a company; we need to see these relationships and interactions.
Understanding Variation: Analyzing data over time.
Knowledge Building: According to Langley, the more knowledge a person has about how the system under analysis works or could work, the better the prediction and the greater the likelihood that change will result in improvement.
The human side of change: Knowing the human side of change helps us predict how people will react to a specific change and how to get them to commit to it. It helps us understand people’s movements and behaviors.
Now, you know the fundamental principles of improvement and what needs to be considered for successful implementation.
By Ana Carolina Silveira