Continuous Improvement

Continuous Improvement (CI) is a basic philosophy on how to achieve optimal quality standards through systematic corrective steps and implemented on an ongoing basis. CI is more emphasis on some simple remedial actions conducted continuously but which would then grow a lot of ideas or innovation as a solution to the problems that arise. Such actions are not only made for one year or a monthly activity, but rather an ongoing basis and is done by every person in the organization from top management to the employee base. For example, in Japanese companies, such as Toyota and Canon, every employee provide written suggestions for improvements of 60-70, then presented and discussed, and then implemented.Continuous Improvement philosophy is the transformation of the concept of "Kaizen", which fix any errors that appear in the production process and gradually begins to correct errors of up to a little until there was found no error in the production process (zero defect). 

Islamic teachings also recognize the concept of Continuous Improvement. In the Qur'an states that "... Allah does not change the state of a people so that they change the existing situation on themselves. ... "(Surah Ar-Ra'd / 13:11).

Hadith the Prophet also said that if the conditions are the same today as yesterday was a loss and if the conditions are worse then a crash. In addition, the Prophet taught that "the best work is done full diligence although little by little" (Tirmidhi Hadith history). The hadith teaches that a little work is done constantly and professional better than a great work that is done is seasonally and not professional. Thus the spirit of Continuous Improvement greatly encouraged in Islam. 

Continuous Improvement concepts can be applied to any type of company, including Islamic Financial Institutions. The advantage is the application of Continuous Improvement process will be the formation of oriented paradigm of thinking and a culture of innovation within the company. Some barrier application of Continuous Improvement within a company is a process that has not been perfect job, knowledge in a work environment that is not shared atu distributed, more focused on technology than the needs or the ability of users to work.

To implement Continuous Improvement should be taken four basic stages, namely:
1. Companies must be able to define a useful management processes and useful not just generic, but also able to explain the work flow of a clear, step-by-step description of the work, and the identification of clear guidance, resources, information, methods to be used, and a mechanism to help each other each other;
2. The need for a shared understanding between the unit and the unit IT users by collaborating in determining not only the latest technology but also can be adopted by the user unit;
3. Using existing resources within the organization to explore more deeply and to share this knowledge to all personal; 
4. Forgive human error because it can be improved through the management, coaching, training, and experience in the world of sustainable business.

 After the four basic stages passed, the Continuous Improvement process can be applied very well so there was found no error (zero defect) in the production process. Thus expect an outcome without errors (zero defect) without going through the process of Continuous Improvement will only be wishful thinking. Implementation of Continuous Improvement in general, would be beneficial to reduce costs and improve performance possible in the creation of a better working environment.

Author: Merza GAMAL (Islamic Socio-Economic Observer)