Application of continuous improvement techniques to improve organization performance: A case study
International Journal of Lean Six Sigma
ISSN: 2040-4166
Article publication date: 4 January 2019
Issue publication date: 21 May 2019
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study, analyze and implement continuous improvement (CI) techniques in an interior design case company, which faces challenges in different departments that affect the case company performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed methodology implemented in three departments of an interior design company in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). First, the authors analyzed and identified problems using Pareto chart and cause and effect diagram. After that, they improved identified problems using Kaizen, 5S, developed project selection form and modified organization chart. The result has been shown savings regarding money and time.
Findings
Successful implementation of the proposed methodology reduced project in pipeline time from 16 weeks to nine weeks, profit margin increased from 25 to 27 per cent, sales win ratio increase from 11 to 32 per cent, better project and financial forecasting and 92 per cent of tender submission deadline achievement. A habit of clean, tidy and organized workplace has been developed among workers.
Originality/value
Proposed solutions contributed significantly to saving time and effort spent to accomplish different tasks in the case company. The company approved the proposed solutions and implemented them, which show that these proposed solutions are feasible and practical. In addition to that, in literature, most of the CI applications are in the manufacturing or production sectors. This was the first study, which implemented CI techniques in an interior design company.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Authors would like to thank the studied case company management and their staff for a corporation with us in doing the current research. Authors are also thankful to Miss Lina and Miss Anoud for the initial collection of data and its analysis from the case company.
Citation
Khan, S.A., Kaviani, M.A., J. Galli, B. and Ishtiaq, P. (2019), "Application of continuous improvement techniques to improve organization performance: A case study", International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, Vol. 10 No. 2, pp. 542-565. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLSS-05-2017-0048
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited