Every business is made up of a series of processes and daily tasks that ideally lead to value for the customer. The more efficiently these processes run, the more likely the effort will be profitable. Conversely, when there are defects or waste, customers are disappointed, employees become disengaged, and profits disappear. That's why it is essential to focus on improving productivity and learn how to streamline processes no matter what type of organization you manage.

What does business process efficiency mean? Efficiency is the ratio of the effective or useful output to the total input in any system. In other words, efficient processes produce the desired customer value with the least amount of effort, resources, and time. For example, if one person can make 50 pancakes in an hour, their process is more efficient than a team of three that makes 40 pancakes an hour.

Every leader would like to improve business process efficiency, but how do they do it? Fortunately, some fundamental techniques, many borrowed from the Lean and Six Sigma management methodologies, can be applied in almost any organization. We've outlined a few of the most powerful.

While it started in the manufacturing sector, today, the Lean business methodology has been embraced in almost every industry. One of the reasons it is so popular is that there are a set of tools and techniques designed to help organizations live the principles of Lean.

Fortunately for modern leaders, software is available to support Lean efforts and speed the path to improvement and waste reduction. The best Lean software solutions have features to enhance multiple Lean techniques in a single platform that becomes the repository for all improvement knowledge and work.

Here are seven popular Lean tools that can be better managed with software.

Standard work is the current best process for any activity or task. It forms the basis from which improvement is measured. When most people think about standard work, they think about process operators, but what about leaders?

The fundamental principles behind standard work can be applied to supervisors' activities, and managers engage in them every day. It doesn't get as much attention as many other continuous improvement techniques, but it is often a game-changing shift that results in accelerated positive change.

Here are some of the questions we are asked most often about leader standard work.

Organizations that implement software designed to support, track, and align daily continuous improvement work gain big advantages over the competition. They can iterate faster, make smarter decisions, and engage more employees. If you are considering improvement software or trying to sell the idea to your team, this post is for you.

Here are the major benefits that improvement software provides.

The Lean and Six Sigma business methodologies have deep roots in the automotive manufacturing sector. One of the reasons they are so popular in the auto industry is that they bring a set of techniques and tools designed to help organizations achieve continuous improvement and a seamless flow of value to the customer.

Fortunately for today's auto manufacturers, software is available to support Lean Six Sigma efforts and streamline the road to improvement and waste reduction. The best Lean Six Sigma software solutions for automobile manufacturers and suppliers have features to enhance multiple Lean Six Sigma techniques in a single platform that becomes the repository for all improvement knowledge and work.

Here are seven popular auto industry Lean Six Sigma tools that can be better supported by software.

It is difficult to underestimate the potential to transform your organization through a dedicated effort to achieve continuous improvement. Of course, that’s much easier said than done, but with leadership and consistency, the possibilities are limitless.

Whether you are just getting started with continuous improvement or need to get more out of an existing program, these six tips can help you get more people engaged, complete more projects, and demonstrate significant impact.

These days, there's an app for just about everything, and process improvement is no exception. Organizations that want to provide support for improvement, measure the impact, and foster a culture that embraces positive change are increasingly turning to technology for an assist.

Here's how an improvement management platform works to help organizations build and sustain momentum around continuous progress toward perfection.

Huddle boards are a useful visual management technique that are frequently used in conjunction with a daily huddle or stand up meetings. Everyone gathers around the board to chat about the top priorities for the day. Daily incremental improvement plans are discussed and evaluated.

The idea has a ton of merit, but there are some severe limitations of a physical board hanging on the wall. That’s why there is a move away from physical boards to software-based management. Cloud-based technology makes it easy and cost-effective for organizations of all types to enjoy the advantages of digitizing their huddle boards. Here are a few big ones.

Kaizen events, also called rapid improvement events, or blitzes, are a useful way to implement positive change in short order. Still, it takes planning and preparation to make them as helpful as possible. We’ve heard dozens of horror stories about Kaizen events that went wrong. That’s not a shock because there are lots of ways that improvement events can go astray. The best way to avoid that fate is to put in the effort beforehand to make sure your event is a huge success. Here are our most important tips.

Every organization that embarks on a journey toward continuous quality improvement is unique. Leaders in every industry, from healthcare to construction, have set CQI as a goal. Some organizations use a business management method, such as Six Sigma or Lean, while others take a less formal approach.