continuous improvement process
(CIP)

CIP stands for Continuous Improvement Process and describes a method that serves the continuous improvement of process, product and service quality. CIP is based on the idea that the employee knows his work processes in detail and can therefore best recognize improvements in the processes. Therefore, a corporate culture that supports and rewards teamwork and ideas of employees is an important cornerstone for the implementation of CIP. CIP is a method of small steps, but when carried out systematically, consistently and goal-oriented, it leads to an improvement of one's own process in daily operations. This corporate culture must be exemplified by the managers. The following goals must be worked on consistently through all levels of the company: 

•       the definition and pursuit of goals

•         the elimination of faults

•        the search for improvement possibilities

•        the avoidance of waste

Procedure of a CIP:

•    What can be improved?

•    Describing the actual state and target state using key figures

•    Describe and evaluate occurring problems

•    Rate the problems

•    Analysis of the problem (causes, connections, ?)

•    Collection of possible solutions (e.g. in a brainstorming session)

•    Evaluation of the solution ideas and decision

•    Derive the necessary measures, evaluate expenditure and yield

•    Presentation of the results to the decision-making committee

•    Define measures and clarify resources

•    Implement measures

•    Check success

To achieve economic success from CIP, it is important to establish this process in the general corporate culture. This requires the creation of the appropriate framework conditions, such as the provision of working time, further training measures, implementation in workflows and processes and, above all, the implementation of ideas. The CIP concept is a systematic approach of planning, execution, checking and acting (PDCA cycle).