Key Obstacles and How Continuous Improvement Can Help Overcome Them 

Lack of Organizational Alignment Around Strategy

Challenge: Leadership and their teams often struggle to align on key value creation levers. Without clear strategic alignment, different teams and functions may prioritize different or even conflicting goals, leading to inefficiencies and a lack of progress toward the company’s objectives. Misalignment can also result in disengagement, as employees may not see how their work contributes to the company’s success. 

How CI helps: CI methodologies and related tools emphasize the importance of defining measurable, achievable goals that tie back to the company’s broader strategy and using data to track progress. Here are a few examples: 

• DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) is a structured approach to problem-solving that aligns teams on common objectives. In the Define phase, a shared vision is established by clearly defining the problem(s), scope, and expected outcomes and linking targeted improvements to business goals and KPIs. In the Measure phase, the process is mapped out and data is collected to validate the current baseline of the process. In the Analyze phase, Teams agree on the true causes of problems, reducing conflicting opinions. In the Improve phase, teams work together to develop and test solutions. Lastly, in the Control phase, a plan is built to ensure sustainability of the implemented solutions so as to avoid revising the problem again in the future. 
  
  

• Kaizen Events involve cross-functional teams that engage in structured, rapid improvement initiatives, ensuring alignment across departments. These events also empower frontline employees to contribute ideas and solutions, creating alignment up and down the organization. Typically results are seen immediately, or within 20 business days once all actions are concluded. 
  
  

• PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) framework ensures iterative learning and continuous alignment as the organization evolves. In the Plan phase, cross-functional teams define clear objectives aligned with the organization’s vision. In the Do phase, the team implements counter-measures to address the key problem being examined. In the Check phase, the change is measured to determine if the desired result was achieved and determine what was learned from the changes. Lastly, in the Act phase, the team may revisit the changes to fine-tune the outcome, or implement the changes more broadly. 

The emphasis on clear frameworks and structured problem-solving approaches inherent in CI methodologies such as Lean Six Sigma ensure ongoing alignment to company goals, across teams and at all levels of the organization. With a focus on collaboration, inclusion, and repeated checks for alignment, these frameworks improve execution speed and increase value creation.