Role of Continuous Quality Improvement

Every single business organization strives towards getting the results that have been set by its management. In the highly competitive world of today, compromises have no place and all members of an organization put in their best efforts to make things work with consistent quality improvements. The business world and its needs and requirements are very dynamic in nature and it has become extremely crucial for companies to adapt the necessary changes efficiently, and on a global scale. For this to take place smoothly, many different evidence based models have to be implemented for the cause.

Focusing on improving the overall quality of a program is equally important.
Continuous quality improvement tools ensure that better services are churned out for clients and customers alike. An organization can benefit from using these tools in
various ways. If you are wondering what is continuous quality improvement, then read on for more.

Continuous Quality Improvement:

This is a process in which organizations can bring about improvements in all business processes, thereby leading to better outcome/results by
monitoring and analyzing crucial data. It places more importance on organizational processes, rather than an individual. An ongoing and continuous effort to improve products, processes and services, continuous quality improvement can be incremental, stretched over a period of time, or capable of initiating breakthrough improvements at one go itself.

With significant developments in the processes of data handling and analysis, organizations are keen to make continuous development through positive changes in their organizational processes. It is essential that elements of quality management are integrated across all processes. All data and day to day reporting systems have to be integrated seamlessly. For this to take place effectively, planning has to be thorough, and the right kinds of tools have to be implemented.

The Model:

The continuous quality improvement model consists of four stages:

Plan:

In this stage, all problem areas have to be analyzed and the intended improvement areas have to be figured out. This stage is aimed at accomplishing improvements. All the areas and opportunities that are capable of bringing about change should be identified. One can take the assistance of flow charts or Pareto charts for the same. Evidence based programs and practices that address the needs of target audience should also be drawn.

Do:

This phase includes the carrying out of changes and improvements. Whatever has been accomplished and finalized in the ‘plan’ should be implemented here. Data collection, accumulation and evaluation of information, documentation of activities that are a part of relevant processes and reporting of the findings are some important tasks that take place in this stage. All crucial team members,
stake holders and officials should be included during every step. Additionally, all tasks and the final implementation of chalked – out programs should be carefully monitored.

Study:

This is a very crucial stage. Once the implementation is done, the subsequent results should be studied carefully. All accumulated data and their results must be reviewed too. One should determine how well the implementation is working and check against a set of predetermined
levels of measurements. Run charts can be used for monitoring the same. The discussion and analysis phases can be conducted during board meetings, discussions and self assessments. Honest feedbacks and results are crucial at this stage to get accurate results.

Act:

Once everything is planned, reviewed and studied, managers have to come to a decision whether the planned quality improvements need to be implemented or not. If the improvements or changes are not suiting the project, the same should be abandoned in the initial stages itself; else they should be adopted in the proper manner. If the decision is inconclusive, then the cycle must be repeated all over again. After implementation, if new improvements or changes that may help the process’s outcome are seen, then the entire continuous quality management cycle can be started from the planning phase, all over again. The new changes can be reviewed, studied and acted upon accordingly.

What Next?

This model has a cyclic structure, thus making it flexible to follow as and when required. Any continuous quality improvement tool that suits the project should be used. Positive results are assured if the model is used efficiently.