Continuous improvement CIMP
Identifying and implementing enhancements to work practices, processes, products, or service delivery on an ongoing basis.
SFIA 9 is in development
- SFIA 9 planned for publication October 2024.
- The content of this skill may change before publication.
Guidance notes
Continuous improvement in SFIA represents a progression from recognising opportunities for enhancement to driving a culture of ongoing optimisation. It involves:
- identifying areas for improvement in processes, products, or services
- implementing changes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness
- assessing the impact of improvements and refining approaches
- encouraging and supporting a mindset of continuous improvement in others
- aligning improvement initiatives with organisational objectives
- cultivating a culture of ongoing enhancement and optimisation
Continuous improvement involves proactively seeking opportunities to refine and optimise work practices, processes, products, and services. It progresses from identifying improvements in one's own tasks to leading organisation-wide approaches. This skill reflects the growing responsibility to identify, implement, and lead improvements across increasing scopes of influence.
Level 1 - Follow
- Identifies opportunities for improvement in own tasks. Suggests basic enhancements when prompted.
Level 2 - Assist
- Proposes ideas to improve processes within own area of work.
- Implements agreed changes to personal work practices.
Level 3 - Apply
- Identifies and implements improvements in own work area.
- Contributes to team-level process enhancements.
Level 4 - Enable
- Encourages and supports team discussions on improvement initiatives.
- Implements changes within own area of responsibility.
Level 5 - Ensure, advise
- Identifies and evaluates potential improvements to products, processes, or services.
- Leads implementation of enhancements within a defined scope of work.
- Assesses effectiveness of implemented changes.
Level 6 - Initiate, influence
- Drives improvement initiatives that have a significant impact on the organisation.
- Aligns improvement strategies with organisational objectives.
- Engages stakeholders in improvement processes.
Level 7 - Set strategy, inspire, mobilise
- Defines and communicates the organisational approach to continuous improvement.
- Cultivates a culture of ongoing enhancement.
- Evaluates the impact of improvement initiatives on organisational success.