{"id":1145,"date":"2022-06-22T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-22T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/articles\/what-is-continuous-improvement\/"},"modified":"2025-05-22T13:16:22","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T13:16:22","slug":"what-is-continuous-improvement","status":"publish","type":"knowledge","link":"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/management\/what-is-continuous-improvement\/","title":{"rendered":"A business guide to the continuous improvement process"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Continuous improvement is a model used by businesses or individuals to become more efficient. It uses self-reflection and feedback to drive change in processes that can save time or money.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">How can your business practice continuous improvement? Read our guide for more information on the benefits, how to create a continuous improvement plan, and the best tools to use. <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><a href=\"\/knowledge\/strategy\/crisis-management-guide-for-business\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"1074\" ><strong>How to write a business proposal<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><a href=\"\/knowledge\/strategy\/what-is-outsourcing\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"1086\" ><strong>What is outsourcing? A simple guide<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><a href=\"\/knowledge\/strategy\/crisis-management-guide-for-business\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"1074\" ><strong>What is a business continuity plan?<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><a href=\"\/business-insurance\/faq\/what-does-employers-liability-insurance-cover\/\"><strong>What does employers&#8217; liability insurance cover?<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is continuous improvement?<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The continuous improvement definition is to reduce waste by streamlining processes. It\u2019s used by businesses to save money and time, as well as take advantage of new opportunities.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Continuous improvement is often referred to as \u201cKaizen\u201d, which translates to \u201cgood change\u201d or \u201cimprovement\u201d in Japanese.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The principles of continuous improvement are aligned to agile methodologies such as Kanban and the <a href=\"\/knowledge\/retail\/what-is-lean-manufacturing\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"1084\" >lean manufacturing process<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Continuous improvement can be used informally by employees to make changes to their daily processes. Larger companies are more likely to formalise continuous improvement by <a href=\"\/knowledge\/strategy\/small-business-strategy-examples\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"1087\" >taking an agile approach<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The model is most commonly used by project managers, although the principles can be useful for any employee from junior staff members right up to the <a href=\"\/knowledge\/management\/what-does-ceo-stand-for\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"1073\" >CEO<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are the benefits of continuous improvement?<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Using continuous improvement techniques has a range of advantages for individuals and businesses. Here\u2019s an overview:<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"nba-body-001\">\n<\/div>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">streamlined process can lead to increased <a href=\"\/knowledge\/staff\/employee-rewards-and-employee-recognition-ideas\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"1175\" >productivity<\/a> and ultimately lower costs<\/li>\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">time saved from implementing continuous improvement can be used to explore new opportunities and <a href=\"\/knowledge\/strategy\/what-is-business-growth\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"1206\" >grow the business<\/a><\/li>\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">long, complicated projects can be improved while they\u2019re ongoing. This can lead to better results than waiting to review the work once it\u2019s completed<\/li>\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">many of the ideas for improvement will come directly from employees. This is likely to cost a lot less than doing a <a href=\"\/knowledge\/funding\/guide-to-r-and-d-tax-relief\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"1393\" >research and development project<\/a> or hiring a consultant<\/li>\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">continuous improvement comes from the people regularly working on the processes they\u2019re suggesting to change. As a result, the changes could be easier to implement and more effective<\/li>\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">the model encourages ownership among all staff members and makes sure people are continually seeking to improve their own performance<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to create a continuous improvement plan<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When creating a continuous improvement framework, you\u2019ll need to focus on self-reflection, reducing inefficiencies, and taking gradual steps to improve. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the simplest ways to get started, either for the business, a particular project, or as an individual, is to use the continuous improvement cycle. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is how it works:<\/p>\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">Identify opportunities for improvement in a workflow or task (such as meeting deadlines)<\/li>\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">Plan how the current process can be improved (for example using project management software)<\/li>\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">Make the suggested changes<\/li>\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">Review how the changes are working<\/li>\n\n<\/ol>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You\u2019ll need to repeat this process to keep improving and reducing all ineffective or inefficient processes.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are some other key steps to include in your plan:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">set achievable targets and goals<\/li>\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">create a strategy map to show how you can get to where you want to be<\/li>\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">celebrate successes (no matter how small) as continuous improvement is all about taking gradual steps<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Check in regularly on your continuous development plan<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Having a continuous improvement plan helps people to be accountable for development, whether it\u2019s for a specific product or on an individual basis.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Regularly going back to the plan means that good intentions don\u2019t go out the window when a busy schedule gets in the way. A good comparison to make is when people give up on their new year\u2019s resolutions after a few weeks.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Continuous improvement examples<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whether you\u2019re looking to use continuous improvement to streamline a product or service, develop on a personal level, or improve something wider like business compliance or culture, there&#8217;s a range of techniques you could include, such as:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><strong>ideation sessions<\/strong> \u2013 encourage staff to share their ideas on how to improve things. When people get together to discuss ideas, they can bounce off each other and produce better results<\/li>\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><strong>training<\/strong> \u2013 upskilling is all-important if you want to keep improving. Whether that\u2019s taking external courses on topics in your field or levelling up on other parts of the business, keeping to a regular training schedule can be invaluable<\/li>\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><strong>time estimates<\/strong> \u2013 one of the key objectives of continuous improvement is saving time, so doing a regular time audit to see how long tasks are taking (and why) could help you identify ways to be more efficient<\/li>\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><strong>surveys<\/strong> \u2013 getting regular feedback is crucial to continuous improvement. If you\u2019re looking to improve aspects of your business, surveying and polling your employees can give useful insights<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Continuous improvement tools<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There&#8217;s a range of tools you can use to implement a continuous improvement model for your business. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the simplest is a project management tool called a Gantt chart. Read our in-depth guide on <a href=\"\/knowledge\/strategy\/how-to-make-a-gantt-chart\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"1128\" >how to create a Gantt chart<\/a> to get started.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can also use project management software or use a continuous improvement plan template. Here are some examples of well-known tools businesses use to adopt Kaizen principles:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Process Street<\/a><\/li>\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kpifire.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">KPI Fire<\/a><\/li>\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/impruver.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Impruver<\/a><\/li>\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/reverscore.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Reverscore<\/a><\/li>\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.braineet.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Braineet<\/a><\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Do you have any unanswered questions about continuous business improvement? Let us know in the comments below.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-group has-azure-200-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-94e519ba wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Ready to set up your cover?<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">As one of the UK&#8217;s biggest <a href=\"\/business-insurance\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"5152\" >business insurance<\/a> providers, we specialise in <a href=\"\/business-insurance\/public-liability-insurance\/\">public liability insurance<\/a> and protect more trades than anybody else. Why not take a look now and build a quick, tailored quote?<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-a89b3969 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/quote.simplybusiness.co.uk\/business\">Start your quote<\/a><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>pressmaster\/stock.adobe.com <\/em><\/p>\n<div id=\"nba-body-end\">\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is a continuous improvement cycle and how could it help your business? Read our guide for continuous improvement examples and tools.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":4344,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"sb_hreflang":"","sb_hreflang_url":"","disable_breadcrumbs":false,"sb_breadcrumbs":[],"sb_reviewed_by":"","sb_review_date":"","sb_enable_content_gating":true,"footnotes":""},"categories":[338,110],"hidden-category":[],"coauthors":[20],"class_list":["post-1145","knowledge","type-knowledge","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-management","category-business-news"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.2 (Yoast SEO v27.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What is continuous improvement in business?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"What is a continuous improvement cycle and how could it help your business? 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