Assignment on Diploma of Business Management

Running head: DIPLOMA OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
DIPLOMA OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
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1DIPLOMA OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
Executive Summary
This report mainly deals with three different issues. Firstly it concerns around continuous
improvement in an organization and how can those be implemented. It also deals with Work
Health & Safety Management Systems and how an individual would do a SWOT analysis on
oneself.

2DIPLOMA OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
Table of Contents
Introduction..........................................................................................................................2
Benefits of Continuous Improvement..................................................................................3
Streamline Workflows.....................................................................................................3
Reduce Project Costs and Prevent Overages...................................................................3
Gain Flexibility................................................................................................................4
When To Use Continuous Improvement.........................................................................4
How to Practice Continuous Improvement......................................................................5
Australian Hardware, the company.....................................................................................6
Steps to implement Six Sigma in an organization...............................................................7
Communication with stakeholders....................................................................................10
References..........................................................................................................................12
Introduction
Continuous improvement, or Kaizen, is a method for identifying opportunities for
streamlining work and reducing waste. The practice was formalized by the popularity of Lean /
Agile / Kaizen in manufacturing and business, and it is now being used by thousands of
companies all over the world to identify savings opportunities (Clark, Silvester & Knowles,

3DIPLOMA OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
2013). Many of these ideologies can be combined for excellent results. For example, Kaizen and
Kanban can go hand-in-hand to facilitate continuous improvement.
While many companies practice a formal version of a Lean / Agile method, other
companies enjoy the flexibility of continuous improvement as a practice while reserving the right
to deviate from the practice whenever a less formal approach is needed.
Continuous improvement can be viewed as a formal practice or an informal set of
guidelines. Many companies have shifted focus to more formal approaches to project and process
management such as Lean / Agile methodologies (Kanban, Kaizen, Scrum, XP). For example,
Kaizen and Kanban can be integrated together to allow for continuous improvement through
visualization of workflow. In all Lean / Agile methodologies, continuous improvement is a
primary focus, in addition to high customer service standards and the reduction of waste in the
forms of cost, time and defects (rework).
Benefits of Continuous Improvement
Streamline Workflows
Working to constantly improve is the number one way in which many businesses reduce
operating overhead. Continuous improvement (sometimes known as ‘Rapid improvement’) is a
Lean improvement technique that helps to streamline workflows. The Lean way of working
enables efficient workflows that save time and money, allowing you to reduce wasted time and
effort. For example, projects that involve shifting deadlines, changing priorities and other
complexities are usually filled with opportunities to improve (Lam, O'Donnell & Robertson,
2015). It’s just that no one has taken action on that opportunity.