When is the Best Time to Initiate a Process Improvement Project?

When is the Best Time to Initiate a Process Improvement Project?

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There’s no need to wait for a crisis—process improvement is most effective when done proactively, but certain triggers make it a priority.

  • KPIs Declining: Rising costs, longer cycle times, or customer dissatisfaction.

  • High Employee Turnover or Complaints: May indicate inefficient or frustrating processes.

  • Business Expansion: Scaling requires more efficient and standardized processes.

  • New Technology Implementation: An ideal moment to re-engineer old workflows.

  • Compliance Issues or Errors: Indicate process flaws that need correction.

  • Customer Expectations Changing: Businesses must adapt processes to stay relevant.

Best Practice: Incorporate improvement reviews into quarterly or annual planning cycles for continuous impact.