If you’ve been considering an investment in continuous improvement software, you’ve probably seen long lists of features. (We’re certainly not shy about sharing ours.) You might know about alerts and notifications, reports, mobile access and so forth, which is great. But we think sometimes it is helpful to step back and consider what all those great features are really used to achieve.

What does continuous improvement software really help you do? Here’s a close look at four main things the best solutions enable you to accomplish.

Capture Every Opportunity

Your organization is full of people with innovative and insightful ideas about how processes could be more efficient, customers made happier, and profits increased. But without a structure for sharing these great ideas, most are never implemented. That’s a sad waste of potential. Continuous improvement software makes it easy for anyone to report an idea for improvement or a problem that needs attention. Features, such as a mobile application, the ability to upload documents, and an easy-to-use format for reporting ideas all support the goal of making sure that every opportunity is acknowledged.

Implement Positive Change

Of course, capturing great ideas is only the first step. Once they are documented, opportunities for improvement need to be evaluated and potentially selected for action. Improvement software supports putting thoughts into action by providing the communication framework for change. Managers receive alerts when new opportunities are reported. They are able to assign tasks and track the progress of each project. Everyone working on the opportunity can take early action if roadblocks arise or setbacks come up. Cross-functional collaboration is encouraged because everyone has visibility into the work of others. When everyone is literally on the same page (webpage), improvement happens faster.

Measure Results and Engagement

You haven’t committed to continuous improvement just to enact change for the sake of change. You want tangible results that can be reported in terms of cost savings, increased revenue, improved customer satisfaction, fewer defects, or other measures that are important to your business. Continuous improvement software provides a platform for that measurement. You’ll know exactly what returns you are getting for your effort. It also makes it easy to determine how engaged your team is in improvement work. You can identify superstars and effectively coach those who are less active.

Share Success

There is absolutely a snowball effect to improvement when positive results are shared across the organization. Knowing how changes, small and large, are impacting business results makes it easier and more appealing for everyone from the C-suite to the front line to invest resources and discretionary effort in improvement projects. When people are recognized and rewarded for their work, they become more emotionally invested and engaged. The reporting, broadcasting, and information repository features of continuous improvement software all make it a breeze to keep everyone in the loop.

In short, with the right technology, you can capture and implement innovative ideas for improvement. You can easily understand their impact and communicate those results effectively. That’s why companies of all sizes and types turn to KaiNexus. We’d love to chat about how continuous improvement software might work for you.