Should process improvement be standardized across departments or customized for each function?
The answer lies in striking a balance. While standardization brings consistency and control, customization ensures relevance and effectiveness.
Benefits of Standardization:
Consistency:
Uniform approaches reduce variability and enhance compliance.
Scalability:
Easier to replicate successful practices across teams or geographies.
Training and Onboarding:
Standard methods simplify employee development and reduce confusion.
Need for Customization:
Departmental Nuances:
Sales, HR, and operations have unique workflows and challenges.
Tool Relevance:
A method suitable for production may not suit marketing or finance.
Cultural Fit:
Teams may have different levels of maturity or openness to change.
Recommended Approach:
Use a common framework (e.g., Lean or PDCA) with customized application per department.
Provide templates, tools, and training centrally but allow local adaptation.
Example:
A global company used a central Lean office to train teams, who then applied the tools uniquely in R&D, procurement, and logistics.
Conclusion:
One size doesn’t fit all—but having a shared improvement language and toolkit helps drive consistency while respecting functional diversity.
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