How to create a continuous improvement plan

When creating a continuous improvement framework, you’ll need to focus on self-reflection, reducing inefficiencies, and taking gradual steps to improve.

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.

This is how it works:

1. Identify opportunities for improvement in a workflow or task (such as meeting deadlines)

2. Plan how the current process can be improved (for example using project management software)

3. Make the suggested changes

4. Review how the changes are working

You’ll need to repeat this process to keep improving and reducing all ineffective or inefficient processes.

Here are some other key steps to include in your plan:

• set achievable targets and goals

• create a strategy map to show how you can get to where you want to be

• celebrate successes (no matter how small) as continuous improvement is all about taking gradual steps

Check in regularly on your continuous development plan

Having a continuous improvement plan helps people to be accountable for development, whether it’s for a specific product or on an individual basis.

Regularly going back to the plan means that good intentions don’t 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’s resolutions after a few weeks.