Continuous improvement evaluation usefulness

Regardless of the requirements of external reviewing bodies, the most important use of assessment information is for the purpose of a program s own continuous improvement. The use of student learning assessment data for program evaluation is addressed in more detail in Chap. 9. 

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. 

A case study on the operational improvement of a plasma etching unit in microelectronics fabrication ends the section. This case study illustrates that if similar preference structures are used in both types of formulation, identical final solutions are found when either categorical or continuous performance evaluation modes are employed. 

Another general principle for good process metrics is that these should promote strategic analysis and continuous improvement. If the metrics are being collected but not evaluated on a regular basis, and decisions based upon the metrics results are not made, there is no point in collecting them. This may seem to be an obvious point, but metrics are not always routinely questioned, assessed, evaluated and evolved to help make strategic decisions or make them more useful to a business. 

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... 

Different lines of treatment for sleep disorders associated with EDS, such as continuous positive airway pressure or airway surgery, were evaluated using the MSLT. In comparing pre- and posttreatment symptoms, a subject may perceive an improvement of awareness as very substantial, whereas the MSLT may reveal that the vulnerability remains. Hence, objective assessment of the response is offered by the MSLT (16,54). The alerting effect of caffeine has been proven by its ability to increase the sleep latency on the MSLT of normal sleep-deprived subjects (55). 

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. 

What does it mean when a procedure is approved It simply means that the document has undergone a systematic review against the most current available information and that cognizant persons have evaluated it against their experience. It does not mean the procedure is perfect. Procedures will always be in a state of continuous improvement. Approval of a procedure simply means it is current, accurate, and ready for use. 

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