Continuous Improvement Experiment Template

{"Title":"Continuous Improvement Experiment","IntroductionHtml":"

Run a short, measurable experiment that your team can own

Use this worksheet to turn an idea into a focused test: state the problem clearly, form a testable hypothesis, specify how you will measure impact, run the experiment for a defined period, and decide whether to adopt, adjust, or abandon the change. Save the completed form so results are visible to your team and to people who will help sustain successful changes.

Tips: Keep experiments short (1–4 weeks when possible), measure one main metric, include simple safeguards, and define success criteria up front. When in doubt, choose a smaller test you can run fast.

","SubmitLabel":"Save experiment","SuccessMessage":"Experiment saved. You can return to update results, attach evidence, and record decisions.","DataType":"ContinuousImprovementExperiment","SchemaVersion":"1.0","Fields":[{"Key":"problem_statement","FieldType":"textarea","Label":"Problem statement (what's happening and why it matters)","HelpText":"Describe the specific problem, where it occurs, who it affects, and why solving it matters (waste, downtime, quality, safety, cost, customer impact). Keep it 1–3 sentences.","Required":true},{"Key":"context_and_scope","FieldType":"textarea","Label":"Context & scope","HelpText":"Where the experiment will run (line, cell, shift, product family), who will participate, and any constraints. Helps limit variation.","Required":false},{"Key":"hypothesis","FieldType":"textarea","Label":"Hypothesis (if we..., then... because...)","HelpText":"A testable statement linking the change to the expected effect. Example: 'If we add a visual cue at the feed hopper, then changeover time will drop because operators can align parts faster.'","Required":true},{"Key":"expected_benefit","FieldType":"textarea","Label":"Expected benefit","HelpText":"Describe the main benefit you expect (e.g., reduce cycle time, reduce defects, reduce setup time, increase throughput, improve safety). Be specific.","Required":true},{"Key":"benefit_type","FieldType":"select","Label":"Benefit type","HelpText":"Choose the primary category for measurement.","Required":true,"Options":[{"Value":"throughput","Label":"Throughput / Productivity"},{"Value":"quality","Label":"Quality / Defects"},{"Value":"safety","Label":"Safety / Near misses"},{"Value":"cost","Label":"Cost / Scrap"},{"Value":"lead_time","Label":"Lead time / On-time delivery"},{"Value":"employee_experience","Label":"Employee experience / Ergonomics"},{"Value":"other","Label":"Other"}]},{"Key":"baseline_metric_name","FieldType":"text","Label":"Baseline metric name (what you'll measure)","HelpText":"Name the metric you'll compare (e.g., changeover minutes, rejects per 1000, uptime %, units per hour).","Required":true},{"Key":"baseline_value","FieldType":"number","Label":"Baseline value","HelpText":"Current measure using the same units you'll use for results. If not available, describe how you'll estimate or collect it.","Required":true},{"Key":"baseline_period","FieldType":"text","Label":"Baseline measurement period","HelpText":"Period used to compute the baseline (e.g., last 2 weeks, last 30 shifts).","Required":false},{"Key":"success_criteria","FieldType":"textarea","Label":"Success criteria (how you'll decide adopt/adjust/abandon)","HelpText":"Define clear, measurable thresholds or rules that determine the decision after the experiment (e.g., >=10% reduction in setup time with no increase in defects).","Required":true},{"Key":"experiment_duration_days","FieldType":"number","Label":"Planned experiment duration (days)","HelpText":"How long the test will run. Keep it as short as practical while capturing meaningful data.","Required":true},{"Key":"experiment_steps","FieldType":"textarea","Label":"Experiment steps (step-by-step)","HelpText":"List the exact steps the team will take during the test. Include who does what and when so the test is repeatable.","Required":true},{"Key":"safeguards","FieldType":"textarea","Label":"Safeguards & rollback plan","HelpText":"List safety checks, quality checks, and what you will do if the experiment creates negative effects. Include a rollback trigger if applicable.","Required":false},{"Key":"data_collection_plan","FieldType":"textarea","Label":"Data collection plan (who, how, where, when)","HelpText":"Explain how data will be collected and recorded (manual log, existing system, sample size, frequency). Assign who is responsible for each measurement.","Required":true},{"Key":"owner","FieldType":"text","Label":"Experiment owner (name & role)","HelpText":"Person accountable for running the test, collecting data, and reporting results.","Required":true},{"Key":"other_participants","FieldType":"text","Label":"Other participants (names/roles)","HelpText":"People who will help run the experiment or be affected by it.","Required":false},{"Key":"evidence_links","FieldType":"text","Label":"Evidence & attachments (links or references)","HelpText":"Link to photos, spreadsheets, video, or system records that support your findings. (Use a team-shared drive or attach later.)","Required":false},{"Key":"interim_observations","FieldType":"textarea","Label":"Interim observations (during the experiment)","HelpText":"Use this field to capture quick observations during the run (problems, unexpected effects, ideas). Update as you go.","Required":false},{"Key":"date_started","FieldType":"text","Label":"Date started","HelpText":"Start date of the experiment (YYYY-MM-DD).","Required":false},{"Key":"date_completed","FieldType":"text","Label":"Date completed","HelpText":"Completion date (YYYY-MM-DD). Fill when the experiment ends.","Required":false},{"Key":"results_summary","FieldType":"textarea","Label":"Results summary","HelpText":"Summarize outcomes and compare measured results to the baseline and success criteria. Be explicit about numbers and units.","Required":false},{"Key":"measured_outcome_value","FieldType":"number","Label":"Measured outcome value","HelpText":"Primary measured result using the same units as the baseline.","Required":false},{"Key":"measured_outcome_unit","FieldType":"text","Label":"Outcome unit","HelpText":"Units for the measured outcome (e.g., minutes, % uptime, rejects per 1000).","Required":false},{"Key":"decision","FieldType":"radio","Label":"Decision","HelpText":"Choose whether to adopt, adjust, or abandon based on the evidence.","Required":true,"Options":[{"Value":"adopt","Label":"Adopt (standardize and roll out)"},{"Value":"adjust","Label":"Adjust & re-test"},{"Value":"abandon","Label":"Abandon (no further action)"}]},{"Key":"sustainment_steps","FieldType":"textarea","Label":"Sustainment & standard work steps (if adopting)","HelpText":"If adopting, describe how the change will become day-to-day standard work (training, updates to work instructions, audits, owner, frequency of checks).","Required":false},{"Key":"next_actions","FieldType":"textarea","Label":"Next actions & owners","HelpText":"List follow-up actions (who does what, by when). Include owners for sustainment if adopted.","Required":false},{"Key":"lessons_learned","FieldType":"textarea","Label":"Lessons learned & recommendations","HelpText":"What did the team learn about the problem, the approach, and measurement? What would you do differently next time?","Required":false}]}