Breakthrough approach to continuous process improvement

Given today's fast-paced economy many industries believe that the most expedient solution to the overwhelming pressures imposed on their performance is to reduce costs by downsizing, thereby remaining profitable. The fact remains that in the customer-driven manufacturing industries competitive markets demand superior products in addition to rapid response to customer needs. The result is a complete focus on customer satisfaction by continuously improving product quality via Continuous Process Improvement (CPI).; For any CPI implementation program to succeed, the top management personnel must be customer and goal oriented, and willing to adapt to changes. Furthermore, top management must champion it. In most cases, the CPI practices employed by chief executives have lacked support and employed inadequate systems. Effective CPI is built upon the right combination of technical systems and human relations strategies with full organizational support.; The breakthrough approach discussed in this thesis is a management system based on the principles of Walter A. Shewhart, Dr. Joseph M. Juran, and Dr. Edward Deming. This system's approach instills a “willingness to do” attitude, ensures a belief in the end product, provides the technology and know-how, and assists in every one's ability to perform at a quality level.