Continuous improvement evaluation system

Continually improving the system through measurement and feedback-controlled evaluation becomes possible due to the analytical and quantifiable approach of the process models. (Note that at its ultimate level this will lead to a real-time, feedback-controlled enterprise capable of reacting to dynamically changing market needs.)... 

Although this assessment system does not guarantee the safety, quality, and value of the service provided, it does offer a mechanism for promoting and monitoring continuous improvement. The system not only offers impartial information on strengths and weaknesses directly to the service provider but also provides the opportunity for customer-specific feedback by the chemical company that evaluated the assessment results. This creates or strengthens a foundation for true partnership that is mutually beneficial. 

The standard requires the supplier to evaluate the performance of the quality system to verify the effectiveness of its operation. It also requires the results to be used for continuous improvement or corrective action as appropriate. 

Evaluate your Quality Management system to identify the role each aspect of the system has in achieving continuous improvement. 

The management system should promote continuous improvement by including a process for feedback. To ensure continuous improvement, the team should perform a self-evaluation after each investigation. This self-evaluation should include ... 

Continuous improvement is a necessary element of a successful management system. Each investigation or implementation of the management system provides an opportunity to evaluate its effectiveness. The lessons learned strengthen and refine the management system. It is also valuable to recognize and share the positive aspects of those investigation activities that were especially successful. 

The data obtained from measurements are analysed and the subsequent information is used for fact-based decision-making. Such data are used to demonstrate the suitabihty and effectiveness of the quahty management system and to evaluate the continual improvement. The analysis of the data provides information relating to... 

Process owners must be capable to evaluate and interpret the effect of nonconformances and planned deviations on their systems. Process owners can evaluate the need and lead efforts for corrective or preventive action, ensuring adequate corrections and improvements are implemented. An effective QMS ensures deviations from approved processes are owned and adequately investigated by the process owner s and ultimately approved by their quality assurance counterpart. The knowledge of these events is the basis and foundation for the process owners to make a risk-based evaluation on whether or not process changes are required, documentation or training require modification, or continuous improvement efforts are warranted. 

Efforts should be made to establish strategic alliances and to ensure joint development and the continuous improvement of products, processes, and systems. The company should ensure thorough review and evaluation of the performance of subcontractors in order to meet customer requirements. 

The organization determines, collects, and analyses appropriate data to demonstrate the suitability and effectiveness of the quality management system and to evaluate where continual improvement to the quality management system can be made. 

Provides a viable mechanism for continuous improvement to forward quality. Change can be a big contributing factor toward continuous improvement. A good system gives you a systematic, documented way to evaluate and incorporate product and process improvements. 

The management of process safety is many-faceted. The mitigation systems discussed in this book are only part of a total solution. Structured evaluation of chemical process safety is a process of continuous improvement that includes problem identification, development of proposed solutions, evaluation of solutions against established criteria, and, if appropriate, implementation of solutions. This approach is shown in Figure 1.1. 

Different metrics may be used to describe past performance, predict future performance, and encourage behavioral change. They are a means to evaluate the overall system performance and to develop a path toward superior process safety performance. This is accomplished by identifying where the current performance falls within a spectrum of excellent-to-poor performance. Such information will allow executives and site management to develop plans to address the specific improvement opportunities that could lead to measurable improvement in process safety. Good process safety metrics reinforce a process safety culture that promotes the belief that process safety incidents are preventable, that improvement is continuous, and that policies and procedures are necessary and will be followed. Continuous improvement is necessary and any improvement program will be based on measurable elements. Therefore, to continuously improve performance, organizations must develop and implement effective process safety metrics. 

Act - Conduct a top management review of the management system to evaluate effectiveness and driving toward continual improvement. 

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