Introduction

This book is organized around the six steps of the PIPS methodology, but it is more than a how-to manual. It is a guide to building a culture where continuous improvement becomes second nature.

Each chapter builds on the last. The early chapters establish the philosophy and principles. The middle chapters walk through each step with tools, templates, and real examples. The later chapters tackle the harder questions: how to scale, how to sustain, and what to do when things go wrong.

You can read this book front to back, or you can jump to the step your team is currently working on. Either way, start with the first three chapters — they establish the foundation that makes everything else work.

Throughout the book, you will follow a running case study: Meridian Health Systems, a mid-sized healthcare company tackling process improvement across multiple departments. Their journey mirrors what most organizations experience.