How does continuous process improvement differ from business process reengineering?

Both aim to improve operations but differ in scale and approach.
Continuous Process Improvement (CPI):
Focuses on small, incremental changes
Ongoing and less disruptive
Encourages employee participation
Uses Lean or Kaizen methods
Suitable for stable processes needing refinement
Business Process Reengineering (BPR):
Involves radical redesign of processes
Often used when performance is significantly lacking
High impact but riskier and resource-intensive
Focuses on end-to-end transformation
Ideal for outdated or broken processes
Related Articles
How can continuous process improvement be embedded into company culture?
To achieve sustainable impact, process improvement must move beyond being a one-off project and become part of a company’s DNA. This cultural embedding ensures that teams are always looking for ways to do better. Strategies to Build a Culture of ...
Which industries benefit most from continuous process improvement, and why?
While all sectors benefit from process improvement, some industries see especially dramatic ROI due to high complexity, volume, or regulation. Key Beneficiaries: Manufacturing High-volume, repeatable tasks benefit from Lean and Six Sigma. Focus on ...
What is the difference between incremental process improvement and radical process redesign?
Both incremental improvement and radical redesign are valuable but serve different purposes based on urgency, complexity, and goals. Incremental Improvement (Kaizen): Characteristics: Small, continuous changes made over time. Low risk, easily ...
What are the main benefits of continuous process improvement over one-time process changes?
While one-time changes can fix immediate problems, continuous process improvement (CPI) is a long-term strategy that sustains efficiency and adaptability. CPI is about building a culture that constantly seeks better ways of doing things. Benefits of ...
Is There a Difference Between Process Improvement and Process Redesign?
Yes—though related, they differ in scope and depth. Process Improvement: Focuses on incremental enhancements to existing workflows. Small changes like reordering steps, removing waste, or automating approvals. Less risk, quicker results. Process ...