continuous improvement vs continual improvement

Both 'continuous improvement' and 'continual improvement' are correct word choices, but they have slightly different meanings. 'Continuous improvement' implies a constant, ongoing effort to enhance processes or products, while 'continual improvement' suggests a repeated or periodic process of improvement. The choice between the two depends on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Last updated: March 26, 2024 • 1171 views

continuous improvement

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase refers to an ongoing, consistent effort to enhance processes, products, or services without interruption.

Examples:

The company focuses on continuous improvement to stay competitive in the market.
Continuous improvement is a key principle of lean management.
Our team is committed to achieving continuous improvement in our operations.
The culture of continuous improvement drives innovation and efficiency.
Continuous improvement requires a mindset of always seeking better ways to do things.

Show examples from the web [+]

Realistic - targets should be demanding and drive continuous improvement, but not overly ambitious.
demonstrated continuous improvement within a specified framework
For the continuous improvement of transparency its activity should be intensified and interinstitutional cooperation be strengthened.
Encourage the continuous improvement of the national computer emergency response bodies;
Check the organisation's continuous improvement of environmental performance.
Through ensuring continuous improvement of nuclear safety, more advanced nuclear technologies could also offer the prospect of significant improvements in efficiency and use of resources and producing less waste than current designs.
The EUEB and the Commission should organise the updating and continuous improvement of the eco-label website.
However, I am convinced that a sincere cooperation within a spirit of mutual trust provides a solid basis for continuous improvement.
Prescriptive regimes are fundamentally reactive, unable to drive the continuous improvement in policies and practices necessary to keep pace with an evolving industry chasing scarcer, and less accessible, hydrocarbon reserves.
Sustainability and sustainable development do not define a static state of stability, but rather a dynamic process of change with the goal of continuous improvement.
Aiming at continuous improvement of the notification and alarming function, further steps are under preparation in close cooperation with the Commission.
(i11) Energy management system [12] in place to drive continuous improvement (y/n).
The CAAP management team that had until now contributed to the positive improvements within Philippines Civil Aviation remains in place and committed to its programme of continuous improvement.
Such standards and guidance should be updated based on new knowledge and invention to ensure continuous improvement.
The Euratom Programme should promote cooperation, in particular in the field of safety, with third countries based on common interest and mutual benefit notably to promote continuous improvement of nuclear safety.
Increasingly accurate, complete and up-to-date aeronautical information shall be made available and used in a timely manner in order to support continuous improvement of the efficiency of airspace and airport use.
So it is, by measuring and creating transparency, you get a cycle of continuous improvement, which is what this slide shows.
In line with the principle of subsidiarity, the Rapporteur would preferably advocate encouraging Member States to pursue the continuous improvement of safety standards.
Both reports as well as peer reviews contribute to identify areas of best practices and to enhance the continuous improvement of nuclear safety in the Community.
The directive is one of the EU's oldest environmental laws and has led to the continuous improvement of bathing water quality in Europe.

Alternatives:

ongoing improvement
constant improvement
sustained improvement
uninterrupted improvement
perpetual improvement

continual improvement

This phrase is correct but less commonly used than 'continuous improvement'.

This phrase also refers to a process of ongoing improvement, but it may imply a more periodic or repeated nature of the improvement efforts.

Examples:

The company is committed to achieving continual improvement in its quality management system.
Continual improvement is a core principle of the ISO 9001 standard.
Our organization follows a model of continual improvement to enhance customer satisfaction.
The concept of continual improvement emphasizes the importance of incremental progress.
Continual improvement involves making small, incremental changes over time.

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Except for requirements relating to customer satisfaction and continual improvement.
Feedback is an appropriate means to ensure continual improvement of the quality of the information exchanged.
Communication, energy, medicine and study are based on that: the continual improvement of all our resources.
The quality management system will be underpinned by a number of internal audits to ensure continual improvement and a programme of management training, in accordance with the international standard ISO 9004:2000.
Implementation of the Lisbon objectives can be properly achieved only through continual improvement of the statistical bases.
However, this also requires the development of a core network and the network connections on which the whole system is based and with which the whole system is connected, allowing sound development in the transport sector and the continual improvement of its management.
Except for subclause 7.3 and requirements relating to customer satisfaction and continual improvement.
Feedback is an appropriate means to ensure continual improvement of the quality of the information exchanged.
Feedback is an appropriate means to ensure continual improvement of the quality of the information exchanged and to simplify bureaucratic procedures.
includes a commitment to continual improvement and prevention of pollution;
Except for subclauses 7.1, 7.2.3, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5.1, 7.5.2, 7.5.3 and requirements relating to customer satisfaction and continual improvement.
As indicated in the Commission's report, feedback is an appropriate means to ensure continual improvement of the quality of the information exchanged.
The aim of the environmental statement is to provide environmental information to the public and other interested parties regarding the environmental impact and performance and the continual improvement of environmental performance of the organisation.
(0) or an equivalent standard to this one with the permissible exclusion of the requirements related to the concepts of design and development, point 7.3 'Customer satisfaction and continual improvement'
or an equivalent standard to this one with the permissible exclusion of the requirements related to the concepts of design and development, point 7.3 'Customer satisfaction and continual improvement'
If the organisation comprises one or more sites, each of the sites to which EMAS applies shall comply with all the requirements of EMAS including the continual improvement of environmental performance as defined in Article 2(2).
The outputs from management reviews shall include any decisions and actions related to possible changes to environmental policy, objectives, targets and other elements of the environmental management system, consistent with the commitment to continual improvement.
Or an equivalent standard to this one with the permissible exclusion of the requirements related to the concepts of design and development; point 7.3. of ISO 9002:2000 "Customer satisfaction and continual improvement"
For example, it shall assess the environmental aspects and impacts of common infrastructure at the site such as a common waste management or effluent treatment plant and include these in its environmental program and the continual improvement process.
The management review shall address the possible need for changes to policy, objectives and other elements of the environmental management system, in the light of environmental management system audit results, changing circumstances and the commitment to continual improvement.

Alternatives:

repeated improvement
periodic improvement
iterative improvement
step-by-step improvement
gradual improvement

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continuous improvement vs continual improvement