First Edition Dated September, 2000 14
4. The Continuous Improvement System
Section 4.1.1 The supplier shall develop and document a
continuous improvement system consistent with D6-82479.
Boeing expects that the following elements be incorporated into the
continuous improvement system to ensure system effectiveness. Boeing
experience shows that the following attributes are almost always present in
effective continuous improvement systems.
• Knowledgeable people - Personnel responsible for the implementation of
the continuous improvement system should be knowledgeable and
experienced, and have the authority to carry out the necessary tasks.
They should be adequate in number to ensure that the objectives are
successfully accomplished. The continuous improvement system should
be the primary responsibility for these people, not a secondary
assignment.
• Involved management - Top management needs to be knowledgeable in
the continuous improvement tools. They also need to establish the
improvement system’s overall effectiveness goals, and review the
progress toward the objectives stated in the quality policy and the status of
the established improvement goals. Management reviews should include
the value received by both the company and its customers.
• Top-down strategic planning - Planning for continuous improvement
should begin at the top of the organization and be flowed down in a
strategic manner. Contract review should include the planning for
resources needed both to achieve customer satisfaction and to meet the
improvement system’s requirements and established goals.
• Clearly defined and understood procedures - Improvement system
procedures should be documented and available to responsible
personnel.
• Corrective and preventive action system - A well-designed improvement
system will contain a structured root cause analysis approach leading to
robust, long-lasting corrective and preventive action.
• Lifelong learning - Training in the use of improvement tools to achieve
established improvement objectives should be provided to all levels of
involved personnel (including all levels of management). A method of
proficiency testing for required learning should be documented and
implemented where appropriate.
