Most companies waste money on CI consulting because they aren’t culturally ready for improvement. Leadership won’t commit, teams don’t communicate, and the shop floor isn’t involved. CI succeeds only when employees feel safe to speak up, leaders model the behavior, and the culture supports learning. You can hire a consultant, but your org still has to walk through the door.

Lean and Continuous Improvement identify eight forms of waste, known by the acronym DOWNTIME: Defects, Overproduction, Waiting, Neglect of talent, Transportation, Inventory, Motion, and Excess Processing. These wastes appear across industries—from aerospace to construction—and create hidden costs, risks, and inefficiencies. By recognizing and addressing them with the right tools and mindset, organizations can boost efficiency, resilience, and long-term growth.