What is the most “critical factor” in making an improvement initiative successful?
This is a tough question, because I am torn between two possible answers. An improvement initiative will not succeed if time is not allocated towards it, and that time, if allocated, is used effectively. That said, an organization can allocate this time on paper (in a strategic plan, job description, or expense budget for example), but fail to require EACH of its leaders to demonstrate the degree to which they are personally using this time to improve the key processes they are responsible for. If I could only change one thing, I would change what I expect from each of my leaders, because most people will find a way to reach a goal if that goal is clearly stated, along with significant consequences for failing to achieve that goal.
