Continual Improvement
Poor quality products are more than just a waste of money; they are a waste of your company’s time and resources.
At Butler Technologies, we use the Continual Improvement Process to ensure that each of our products meets or exceeds your expectations. It is another way in which we strive to prove just how important your business is to us.
What is the Continual Improvement Process?
Originally implemented by car manufacturers, continual improvement strives to reduce the cost to manufacturers and their end consumers through small but consistent changes.
These improvements are identified and implemented using the Plan, Do, Check, Act procedure:
Plan: Opportunities for improvement are recognized and identified, and a plan is created.
Do: Changes are tested on a small-scale. Results are monitored and recorded using software and employee feedback.
Check: Results of the test are analyzed to measure the plan’s success. Potential areas of improvement may also be identified during this phase of the process.
Act: If successful, the plan for change is implemented and adjusted accordingly, based on any identified areas of improvement. Lessons learned are also used to develop larger-scale changes to improve overall quality within the company. If the plan for change is unsuccessful, a new plan is developed, tested, and analyzed.
The process is repeated, continuously. New areas for improvement are consistently identified and implemented to enhance the buyer experience.
Core Principles of Continuous Improvement
Six core principles separate continuous improvement from other, less successful manufacturing models.
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Changes are made on a small scale
Big changes take time to implement, and that can slow down production, which creates delays for the consumer. Continual improvement focuses on small changes that can be quickly implemented with little to no lag in production.
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Employee ideas are valuable
Many companies discount the ideas of their lower level employees, yet these are the same people who typically complete the tasks. Continual improvement seeks to include them in the change process because it recognizes that change is best implemented from the bottom up. Their ideas and feedback are highly valued.
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Small, incremental changes reduce costs
Change can be expensive, especially in the manufacturing industry. That increase in cost is often transferred to the consumer. Continuous improvement mitigates against cost hikes through small-scale changes.
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Employees are included in the process
Continual improvement includes employees in the process, which empowers them to become more invested in the success of a project.
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Improvement is reflective and continual
Feedback is a critical element to change. Continual improvement recognizes this and encourages feedback through software and team collaboration.
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Improvement is measurable and often repeatable
It is not enough to simply implement change and expect it to work. True improvement is measurable. Continual improvement can also be repeated and remodeled to fit across other areas or departments in need of positive change.
Benefits of Continual Improvement
The continual improvement process streamlines the manufacturing process, thereby reducing the company’s overhead and production costs. These savings can then be passed down to the consumer.
Continual improvement also reduces the risk of product defects and poor quality, allowing the consumer to make their purchase with confidence.
Since change is seamless in a continuous improvement environment, delays in production are less likely to occur. The buyer can rest assured in knowing that their shipment will arrive on time.
In continuous improvement, the experience of the buyer is paramount. Opportunities to enhance service and quality are not only identified but implemented to ensure the best purchasing experience possible.
Contact Butler Technologies Today
When the quality of a product matters, it’s important to choose a manufacturer that takes their job as seriously as you do.
An industry leader in printed electronics and user interface products, Butler Technologies uses the Continual Improvement Process to ensure your company’s expectations are not only met but exceeded.
Contact us for your product needs today.