Continuous Improvement methodologies like CMMI, 6-sigma etc. have 2 parts. First is a tangible one - a structured methodology/ approach, tools and templates to be used etc. This is easier, even downloadable from internet or can be purchased otherwise. Second is a subtler one, covering aspects like Management Philosophy, Organizational Values and Culture etc. Many a time, improvement programs fail or loose steam or don't deliver much, not because wrong templates were used but because the subtler aspects mentioned above were not supportive.
The idea of "Continuous Improvement" is nothing new. Bhagavadgita mentions that man tries to elevate himself (by himself) continuously (uddharet atmanatmanam, उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं). The second part of the verse is more interesting as it addresses the second and subtler dimension. It says that mind is one’s own friend in this journey of continuous improvement and mind is his biggest enemy as well**. "Mind" is the subtler aspect that generates thoughts which, in turn, drives the words and actions (manasaa, vachaa, karmana). At the corporate level it maps to Management Philosophy, Beliefs and Values which drives policies (written manifestation of above) and finally employee conduct (in compliance with org-policies).
In fact, it may not be an overstatement to say that this subtler aspect (Mind or Spirit at the individual level and Values and Beliefs at org-level) is the "Make or Break" factor and is "Necessary and Sufficient" condition for a successful improvement journey. The role of a documented process is very limited, if not immaterial. As very interestingly described in one another Indian Scriptures - Vivekachudamani of Sri Adishankaracharya, "The study of scriptures is useless so long as the highest Truth is unknown, and it is equally useless when the highest Truth has already been known"***
To Summarize - at Individual or org-levels - improvements happen happily and naturally in organizations (org can be a sub-group also like a Project, division, department etc.) with the right environment, Philosophy, values and Culture. Where these are not available, initiatives fail and investigation may lead to multiple failure points. As expressed by Anna Karenina principle - "All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way". Are we ready to take the bull by the horn and address the "Make or Break" factor?
**“uddhared atmanatmanam natmanam avasadayet. atmaiva hy atmano bandhur atmaiva ripur atmanah, उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत् । आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः|”
***अविज्ञाते परे तत्त्वे शास्त्राधीतिस्तु निष्फला । विज्ञातेऽपि परे तत्त्वे शास्त्राधीतिस्तु निष्फला ॥ avijñāte pare tattve śāstrādhītistu niṣphalā | vijñāte'pi pare tattve śāstrādhītistu niṣphalā |
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