Continuous Improvement: Finding Opportunities in Everyday Work
Continuous improvement isn’t always about sweeping changes or major overhauls. Often, the best opportunities to refine processes and boost efficiency come from moments in our day-to-day work where we pause, ask questions, or simply look at things from a new perspective.
Two areas where I’ve consistently found improvement opportunities are SOP reviews and employee training.
SOP Reviews: Stepping Outside the Process
In clinical laboratories, SOPs are reviewed annually as part of compliance requirements. On the surface, this may feel like a routine checkbox exercise—but it’s much more than that.
When you take time to carefully read through an SOP, you step outside the process and become the outsider looking in. That shift in perspective allows you to reflect on whether the workflow still makes sense, where bottlenecks occur, and what updates could make the process more efficient or user-friendly. Sometimes just reading a procedure with fresh eyes will spark an idea for an improvement you might not notice while running on autopilot.
Training: The Power of a Fresh Perspective
Another powerful trigger for improvement opportunities is training. Whether you’re onboarding a new employee or introducing an updated process, training brings a unique moment of reflection.
New employees in particular often ask the simple but critical “Why?” question. And sometimes, answering it isn’t easy. That’s usually a sign that the process needs re-evaluation—or that further clarification and streamlining would help.
The perspective of someone new to the work is invaluable. They aren’t weighed down by “the way we’ve always done it,” so their observations are unbiased and practical. In fact, some of the most meaningful process improvements I’ve implemented started with a new team member asking a question that made me stop and rethink.
Turning Observations Into Improvements
The key is to treat these moments not as interruptions, but as opportunities. Every SOP review or training session can reveal gaps, inefficiencies, or hidden opportunities for innovation. By paying attention to them, you can build a culture where continuous improvement becomes part of the workflow—rather than something that only happens during special projects.
How I Can Help
Of course, finding the time to step back and reflect isn’t always easy when you’re in the thick of daily responsibilities. That’s where I can help. As a consultant, I bring that “outsider looking in” perspective to your processes. I work with you to review existing procedures, observe training moments, and identify where adjustments could increase efficiency, clarity, and overall performance. Then I help translate those observations into actionable improvements that fit your team’s workflow.
Continuous improvement doesn’t have to be overwhelming—it just takes the right perspective. And sometimes, the most valuable improvements come from simply having someone there to ask the right questions and help put solutions into practice.
