Rapid Improvement Events

Rapid Improvement Events (RIEs) create rapid, measurable progress by removing ambiguity and fixing the real causes of delay, waste, and frustration. We bring the right people together, get clear on the current condition, then design and implement improvements that teams own and sustain.

Rapid Improvement Events

Sometimes a team needs to stop “business as usual” and focus on one high impact problem. Rapid Improvement Events (RIEs), also known as Kaizen events, are short, structured improvement cycles where the people closest to the work diagnose the current condition, remove ambiguity, and implement practical changes quickly.

What makes RIEs powerful is ownership. The team doing the work defines what is in their control, what needs support from others, and what must be escalated. That clarity creates autonomy, engagement, and follow through, because improvement is not something being done to people. It is something they lead, with support and pace.

RIEs are designed to deliver real results. You leave with changes implemented, not just ideas, and with a clear set of actions, owners, and measures. The outcome is improved flow, reduced waste, and cost savings that stand up to scrutiny because they are grounded in current data and direct observation.

Structure of RIEs

Purpose: Improve flow and performance by reducing waste, delays, rework, and avoidable variation.
Length: Typically two to three days, with a short follow up session to lock in sustainment.
Planning: A focused preparation phase to define scope, data, stakeholders, and success measures.
Team: People who do the work, plus key users, suppliers, and decision makers where needed.
Facilitation: Structured facilitation to keep focus, engage everyone, and capture decisions, actions, and measures.
Objectives: At least one measurable objective agreed in advance, linked to delivery outcomes.
Follow up: A review session to confirm benefits realised, remove blockers, and embed the new standard.

Key Techniques Used

Typical focus areas include workplace organisation (5S), cycle time reduction, lead time reduction, mistake-proofing, root cause analysis, waste reduction, and value-add optimisation (VA). The selection depends on the problem and current condition, and the goal is always the same: improvements that teams can sustain in real delivery conditions.

Diagnostics

Before undertaking large-scale culture change, we conduct a comprehensive diagnostic review to identify challenges, agree on success measures, and ensure all staff insights are considered for effective, lasting transformation.

Rapid Improvement Events

Rapid improvement events in infrastructure delivery are focused, short-term initiatives aimed at swiftly identifying inefficiencies and implementing solutions to enhance project performance and outcomes.

Team Building

Relationship-driven team building focuses on developing trust and strong interpersonal connections among team members to foster a supportive and collaborative work environment.

Expert Facilitators

Our expert facilitators skillfully engage and guide groups ranging from 6 to 600 participants, ensuring meaningful interactions and impactful outcomes for teams of any size.

Executive Coaching

CFPW’s executive coaching empowers leaders to excel by enhancing self-awareness, refining skills, and achieving meaningful growth. With tailored strategies and proven methodologies, we help you overcome challenges, build confidence, and unlock your full leadership potential.

Interface Mapping

We apply factory thinking to complex delivery so every team gets what they need, when they need it, to the agreed standard. Interface Mapping makes handovers, dependencies, and decision points explicit, reducing friction and rework.