Customer Reviews

The Continual Improvement Process

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Craig Cockran has reprized his first work with a text that is as rich as it is inspiring. Detail oriented, yet captivating and simple to read, this book belongs in the library of anyone who is invested in the QI process or just starting a QI program. The writer has once again shown a unique grasp of business and the instructional process. I look forward to the next installment from this outstanding author.

The Continual Improvement Process: From Strategy To The Bottom Line by Craig Cochran (Project Manager, Center for International standards & Quality, Georgia Tech Economic Development Institute) is a guidebook especially for business managers and owners, offering practical wisdom for effective problem solving, learning to identify and communicate what is important, and generally crafting an environment that fosters improvement in efficiency, customer satisfaction, revenue, and more. Black-and-white diagrams help to clearly delineate the basic principles, and straightforward prose presents suggestions in easy-to-grasp terms for readers of all backgrounds. An excellent sourcebook for strategic planning ideas.

I purchased this book shortly after tackling the responsibility of leading a large distribution center through ISO 9001:2000 certification. It helped break down tough topics and really drilled home the entire concept of "Continual Improvement". What I found to be most valuable was the chapter on High Impact Auditing. I read this chapter prior to implementing our internal auditing system and it was instrumental in keeping the audit team focused on areas that we could make the biggest improvement. Also extremely useful are the examples in the appendix. The beauty of this book is that it applies to all industries and business cultures. It is conceptually an easy read and provides plenty of valuable information.

Cochran's strength is in taking complex topics and breaking them into simple, bite-size pieces. I would't call any of the concepts in this book "earth shattering," but all of them are smart and practical. The tools and guidance on key measures are especially good. This book has helped us understand the basis for continual improvement (mission and strategy) and how everything else revolves around these things. Highly recommended.