In 2017 I hiked the Kokoda trail in Papua New Guinea and in 2019 I hiked the Swiss & Italian Alps. These were treks of 10 days of climbing up, up and up again. I was fortunate to have a Porter for Kokoda and only had to carry my days snacks, water and supplies, however for the Alps I had to carry everything in my pack.
As I trudged up the seemingly never ending mountains with my fellow hikers and guide we set targets of how far we were going to walk, landmarks we would get to or the amount of time we would walk and then we could stop, rest and snack if needed.
You could say that we were following a continual incline method. We were still moving, we were still moving up the mountains, however we would stop and rest, look back to see where we came from (and the stunning scenery of course) and then set a new target for our next rest stop.
If we adopted a continuous incline method I might not be here today! This would mean that we had to keep moving, we had to keep climbing, we wouldn’t get breaks to stop and look back at the scenery and rest ready to take on the next stage. The hikers would have dropped off one-by-one throughout the day from exhaustion.
In retrospect, our chosen approach not only ensured our well-being but also enriched our trekking experience. Those breaks were not mere interruptions; they were moments that stitched together the narrative of our journey. They reminded us that sometimes, the real adventure lies not in reaching the peak but in the path taken and the memories created along the way.
The ISO standards, use the term "continual improvement" rather than "continuous improvement." This choice of terminology is deliberate.
Continual Improvement implies that improvements are made in intervals, allowing for periods of stability and review in between. It suggests a stepwise progression towards progress. The emphasis is on ongoing effort to improve products, services, or processes, which can take many forms, from incremental improvements to breakthrough changes.
Continuous Improvement often refers to an uninterrupted and constant state of improvement. In practice, this would be extremely challenging to maintain. While both terms essentially emphasize the importance of improving, "continual" is more realistic in many settings because it recognizes that there will be periods where you're reviewing, stabilizing, and assessing before making the next improvement.
In the context of ISO Standards this promotes the idea of making consistent, ongoing efforts to enhance the ISO management system, rather than trying to improve non-stop without any pause for reflection or assessment.
Much like my treks, the journey of enhancing an ISO management system through the continual improvement approach is not solely about reaching an end goal or achieving perfection in one swift move. Instead, it's about recognizing the value of incremental progress, pausing to assess the system's current state, and making informed decisions about the next steps.
Each stage of improvement, no matter how small, contributes to the overall evolution of the QMS. These phases are not just checkpoints but moments that shape the character and resilience of the system. They offer opportunities to celebrate small wins, learn from setbacks, and recalibrate strategies.
Just as in my hikes, where the pauses allowed for reflection and rejuvenation, in a management system, these intervals foster deeper understanding, stakeholder engagement, and fine-tuning of processes. The real strength of the continual improvement approach lies not in merely achieving a flawlessly functioning system, but in embracing the journey of growth, learning, and adaptation that makes the system robust, resilient, and relevant.
In the realm of quality and process improvement, there are well-known methodologies like Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen that often employ the term "continuous improvement." These approaches, with their roots in the manufacturing industry, primarily focus on streamlining processes, eliminating waste, and maximizing efficiency. The essence of "continuous improvement" in these contexts is an ongoing, unwavering commitment to enhancing performance and reducing inefficiencies at every possible opportunity.
However, as ISO Standards professionals, it's crucial to distinguish between "continuous" and "continual." While both Lean and Six Sigma methodologies aim for an uninterrupted flow of improvement, the ISO framework adopts a slightly different nuance. The term "continual improvement" in the ISO context accentuates the importance of regular intervals of reflection, review, and recalibration. It's not merely about relentless progression but about making sure each step forward is taken with full awareness, understanding, and strategic alignment.
Sticking to the term "continual improvement" is more than just semantics for ISO professionals. It underscores the need for a holistic approach that values assessment and thoughtful decision-making as much as it does progress. By embracing "continual," we prioritize sustainable growth, stakeholder engagement, and an acknowledgment that perfection is a journey, not a destination. It's about ensuring that our systems remain adaptable, relevant, and resilient in the face of ever-evolving challenges and opportunities.
Even while I was researching to find an article to reference, I became so frustrated, because the majority are referring to continuous improvement when referencing an ISO standard – why?!
In W. Edwards Deming’s book Out of the Crisis, Deming emphasizes the critical nature of the ‘Check’ step as a moment of reflection. It’s in this phase that businesses evaluate how their actions (from the ‘Do’ phase) align with their goals set in the ‘Plan’ phase. By understanding discrepancies, organizations can learn and adjust. Deming often points out that without this reflective step, businesses can continue making the same mistakes, leading to inefficiencies and wasted resources.
1. Identify processes that support continual improvement.
2. Support actions to improve performance.
3. Work with an expert.
This article is just the beginning. Join us for the extended discussion on the podcast, available on Spotify and YouTube.