Refine Your System

Introduction:

The new management model focuses on continuous improvement. The only way to continuously improve is to periodically look at where you are, compare it to where you want to be, and change course, speed up, or leap ahead. System assessments give you the information you need when you must decide what to do next.

Refinement:

• Most companies, including many of the role models, fail to close the loop on their processes by leaving out the refinement cycle.

• They develop a terrific approach, deploy it throughout the company, then move on without leaving behind a process for regularly evaluating and improving the approach.

• The same concept applies to the entire system; the approaches you are taking need to be evaluated and improved on a regular basis.

• We recommend an annual assessment based on the Baldrige criteria.

• No other tool on the market is better at helping you explore, understand, and improve your entire system.

Conclusion:

• The transition to the new management model cannot be done in haste or without thought.

• We hope, however, that the list will not deter you from stepping into the river of change.

• The companies that involve everyone in continuous improvement, that make customer satisfaction their top priority, that value people for who they are, and that see their systems as treasure chests filled with endless opportunities—these companies have the most joyful, outgoing, and well-rewarded people we know.

• Their enthusiasm is infectious, their commitment is inspiring.

• They invariably seem more alive and fulfilled and challenged than the millions who just go through the motions day after day.

• They stand on the riverbank called total quality management and shout out the wonders of working together for the good of all.