Question

A study by the U.S. General Accounting Office reported that, on average, a firm takes 3.5 years to see significant results from a quality improvement program. Why do you think it takes so long to see significant results

Answer 1

As far as I am concerned continuous quality improvement is a slow process which requires commitment of resources and time. A review of these studies suggest that time is an important factor which needs to consider when managing quality improvement programs. Time also plays important role in setting up of strategy. Strategic planning implies planning for the long term. Thus strategic planning is important for continuous quality improvement. Even when quality improvement methods are properly applied, the success of a project still depends on contextual factors. Context refers to aspects of the local setting in which the project operates. Context affects resources, leadership support, data infrastructure, team motivation, and team performance.