How much improvement is considered significant in a process?
Significance depends on the process goals and performance baseline.
Typical indicators of significant improvement:
20–30% reduction in time or cost
Noticeable improvement in customer satisfaction scores
Elimination of recurring errors or delays
Increase in employee productivity or satisfaction
Achieving or exceeding target KPIs or benchmarks
Even small improvements can be meaningful when:
Applied to high-volume or high-impact processes
Sustained over time as part of continuous improvement
Aligned with long-term strategic objectives
Related Articles
Why should customer experience be considered during process improvement?
Customer experience (CX) is a key performance indicator for many business processes, especially in service, retail, and tech sectors. Improving internal processes without considering their effect on the customer journey can result in friction, ...Do small and medium businesses (SMBs) benefit from process improvement as much as large enterprises?
Absolutely. In fact, small and medium businesses (SMBs) can often benefit even more from process improvement initiatives than large enterprises, because their limited resources make efficiency critical for survival and growth. Why SMBs Should ...Does Process Improvement Lead to Measurable ROI?
Absolutely. A well-executed process improvement initiative can produce significant and measurable returns. Cost Reduction: By eliminating unnecessary steps and improving efficiency. Time Savings: Faster delivery cycles or shorter turnaround times. ...Which metrics should organizations track to evaluate process improvement success?
Evaluating the success of process improvement efforts requires relevant, well-defined metrics that reflect both operational efficiency and strategic impact. These metrics vary by industry but follow a few core categories. 1. Efficiency Metrics Cycle ...Why do many process improvement initiatives fail despite best intentions?
Despite the potential benefits, many process improvement initiatives fail due to flawed execution, poor planning, or resistance to change. Understanding these challenges is essential to building strategies that ensure lasting success. Common Causes ...