A structured approach to product and process optimization for manufacturing and service industries

Continuous improvement is a cyclic process of product and process optimization over a product life cycle. Optimization is beyond quality and reliability management – meaning, an organization is keeping in constant touch with new technological advances and frequently employs the applicable technologies to improve an existing product. Cycling means that an organization is continually exploring new frontiers in manufacturing technologies. The latest advances in related fields such as computers and systems are reviewed regularly for possible inclusion in the produced and process optimization cycle. Today, there is no single unique structure or process that defines “continuous improvement”, or, in a larger sense, what is described here as product and process optimization (PPO). Outlines a new structured approach to product and process optimization which includes, in addition to change management, three sets of metrics and measurements. PPO is a function of life‐cycle management. There are three aspects of life‐cycle management applicable to manu‐facturing and service industries: managing reprocessing, restructuring or re‐engineering change; managing continuity; and managing revision change.