5 replies to this topic

[estherlev]

Could anyone post a sample continual improvement policy sop to use as reference please?

 

Thank you very much in advance!

[esquef]

I don't really think that continuous improvement policy can be captured in a SOP. It's something that can be included in a management policy statement for example, but the meaning of continuous improvement simply means that your company (in particular management) is always seeking ways to improve all aspects of the way to do business.

 

It could be reducing the number of late deliveries, decreasing customer complaints, etc. Basically continuous improvment involves trending down everything negative where possible and trending up everything positive where possible. It's an ongoing process, not a procedure per se. It's also a process that GFSI (and ISO for that matter) recognizes as being critical to the continued success of any business.

[Simon]

Just to add senior management should be involved in developing the food safety and quality policy and it should include key measurable objectives for your business, but that's not it, it is just the beginning.  The policy must be real so plans need to be made and projects initiated in order to realize the stated aims and objectives of the policy.  Then throughout the year you need to be reviewing progress, taking action, adjusting plans, working hard.  Usually once a year you take time to review your policies and determine how effectively you have met your stated aims and objectives, where you need to improve, what you can celebrate, what needs to change in light of past performance and new challenges the business faces.  It's the Plan Do Check Act cyle, perpetual and never ending continual improvement.  Anyway that's the theory.

 

Regards,

Simon

[mgourley]

I agree with esquef and Simon. Continuous improvement is a part of any FSMS. It's not a SOP.

One must review what has been done, what needs to be done and constantly monitor, document and change goals. That's the definition of continuous improvement for me.

 

Marshall

[Charles.C]

Could anyone post a sample continual improvement policy sop to use as reference please?

 

Thank you very much in advance!

 

Dear Estherlev,

 

This is a very popular topic. It tends to be overlapped within quality policy and setting continuous improvement objectives. However I don't see why it is not possible to write a procedure on how to (attempt to) achieve continuous improvement.

 

For ideas, maybe try  –

 

http://www.ifsqn.com...icy/#entry55320

(eg post #5)

 

http://www.ifsqn.com...ent/#entry32910

(eg post #6)

 

http://www.ifsqn.com...ent/#entry29321

(eg post #8)

 

http://www.ifsqn.com...plan/#entry4760

(eg post #3)

 

http://www.ifsqn.com...129/#entry59344

 

Rgds Charles .C

[estherlev]

Dear Charles,

 

Thank you very much for the ideas. Actually, our auditing agency wants us to have a Continual Improvement Policy in place. 

 

Also thanks to everyone else who posted information.

 

Regards,

Est