Continual Improvement Assessment: Promoting and sustaining business results

Learn audit methods to determine if improvement actions are adding valued, how to audit process performance for improved efficiency, and for assessment techniques for generating new improvement ideas to support six sigma, lean, TQM, ISO 9001 and other continual improvement programs. This class is for managers and auditors interested in making their continual improvement program effective and efficient. The class focuses on tactics to monitor improvement programs to ensure value-added results are achieved and sustained. Continual improvement assessments enhance your TQM, ISO 9001, TS 16949, Six Sigma, and Lean improvement programs. Modern audit program strategies can lower risk and improve organization effectiveness by auditing for continual improvement. An aggressive assessment program will provide the oversight and factual data management needs to make informed decisions about current and future operations. A desk reference book comes with the class as a pdf file. Free tools included are a Continual Improvement Perception Survey and an example of the 9004 Assessment Criteria Checklist for selected clauses. Successful completion of the class will result in a certificate for 8 contact hours (0.8 CEU's). The subscription period for the class is 90 days (Self paced, 24/7).

Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of this course, you will be able to:

  • Explain continual improvement to others·
  • Identify continual improvement actions·
  • Plan continual improvement assessments·
  • Collect continual improvement audit evidence·
  • Contrast necessary, value-added and superficial types of improvement·
  • Distinguish between containment, corrective, preventive and innovative improvement actions·
  • Appraise processes using process performance indicators·
  • Recognize process inefficiencies, risks and opportunities
  • Compare results to score card objectives·
  • Use data to report leading indicators·
  • Calculate the effect of findings on wealth (F/P matrix)· Understand management COR interests·
  • Assess gaps in the organization management system·
  • Conduct self-assessment perception surveys·
  • Analyze perception survey results·
  • Implement a continual improvement assessment (CIA) program

Technical Requirements

  • Intel Pentium processor/compatible
  • 800x600 resolution color monitor
  • 32 MB of RAM recommended
  • 28.8 kb ps modem okay, high speed preferred
  • A browser such as Internet Explorer, Netscape or Firefox
  • Acrobat Reader (free plug-in)
  • Flash/Shockwave Player (free plug-in)
  • Java Script (installed on most computers)

MEET THE INSTRUCTOR:
J.P. Russell is owner of JP Russell and Associates (www.JPR@JP-Russell.com) and Director of Operations for QualityWBT Center for Education (www.QualityWBT.com). Mr. Russell is an ASQ Fellow, an ASQ Certified Quality Auditor, and former RAB QMS Lead Auditor. He is a member of ASQ, Institute of Internal Auditors, Standards Engineering Society, US TAG TC176 and Secretary of TG 9001-9004. Mr. Russell has been a speaker at several national conferences and regional organizational meetings and is an ASQ qualified instructor.

JP is an instructional designer in the areas of auditing, standards, and improvement, has authored over 12 books on process/systems auditing/continual improvement, edited the Quality Audit Handbook 1st and 2nd ed, and the ASQ Auditng Handbook, and is a regular columnist for ASQ's Quality Progress magazine.
Questions? Click here to contact JP.

Course Developer: QualityWBT Center for Education/ J.P. Russell & Associates

International Association for Continuing Education & Training (IACET) Authorized Provider of CEUs