Module 5 · Lesson 1 of 17
Improve-phase strategy
Learning objectives
- Explain the purpose of improve-phase strategy in a garment-factory improvement project.
- Apply the described method to a representative shop-floor situation.
- Recognize the common mistakes and how to avoid them.
Concept
Improve turns verified vital Xs into piloted, evidence-based solutions with defined success, guardrails, and rollback criteria.
Enter Improve only when Analyze has confirmed causes; without cause traceability, solutions drift to symptoms.
Plan the full path: ideation, screening, selection, risk review, pilot, and preparation for Control before any change to production.
Garment-factory example
A sewing line with confirmed seam-damage causes plans idea generation, solution FMEA, a controlled pilot on one line and shift, and pre-agreed stop rules before touching normal output.
Method
- Restate verified causes and CTQs.
- Set ideation, screening, and selection method.
- Design pilot with stop/rollback rules.
- Prepare Control inputs during Improve, not after.
Common mistakes
- Skipping cause verification and defending a favored solution.
- Piloting on the easiest line and generalizing to all lines.
Knowledge check
Pick one answer per question. Explanations appear after you submit.
1. Which condition must be true before entering Improve?
2. What must be defined before a pilot begins?
Author: Sanjeewa Dehiwalage · Last reviewed: 2026-07-21