Process improvement can often be received with impatience and inflated expectations of its impact. One of the regular problems is that a particular piece of the organizations process is asked to be improved in isolation. This is a little like trying to change a wheel while the car speeds along the interstate! The one minor fix is still influenced by the wider system. It can take several improvements to elements of a process to see an impact overall. It needs to be realized that an entire process needs to be improved not just one element in isolation. That’s why they refer to Quality and Process Improvement as being about ‘systems’.
Denis Leonard has a degree in construction engineering, and an M.B.A. and a Ph.D. in quality management. He is a Fellow of the American Society for Quality and has been an Examiner for the Baldrige National Quality Award Board of Examiners, a Judge on the International Team Excellence Competition, and a Lead Judge on the National Housing Quality Award. He has experience as a quality manager in the home building industry as well as construction engineer, site manager, and in training, auditing, and consulting with expertise in strategic and operational quality improvement initiatives. His work has achieved national quality, environmental, and safety management awards for clients.
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Dr. W. Edwards Deming has had a remarkable impact on the lives of millions, whether they realize it or not. (Photo: assembly line background: Gui Yong Nian / stock.adobe.com; Deming photo: courtesy The W. Edwards Deming Institute)
Builders: Focus on construction quality at a level you’ve probably never considered. The resulting profits and customer referrals will be worth it. (Photo: ronstik / stock.adobe.com)
