This book is written for the tens of thousands of individuals (ranging from senior leaders to the front line) charged with leading continuous improvement efforts for their business, organization, or association. Regardless of the improvement program or tools your organization chooses, this book is a must read for successful implementation, sustainability and growth.

In our book, we describe our learnings from decades of work in the field of continuous improvement. We explore why improvement initiatives, in some organizations, do extremely well and in others, struggle and often die out. We specifically analyze the results at two nearly identical "sister sites" with whom we worked. One site became their corporate model, the other struggled with mediocre performance. Why were results so dissimilar? Combining research and our experiences allowed us to solve this puzzle. We identify what is most necessary to foster and sustain a culture that is nimble and able to continually improve and innovate. The Five Keys.

Roots: In our years of leading improvement efforts, we've identified some well-known and some lesser-known concepts and models that we have found to be both foundational and requisite in our work with a variety of clients. This knowledge underpins aspects of continuous improvement typically overlooked and/or misunderstood and will contribute to your success.

The Five Keys: These five have repeatedly proven to be the most impactful elements in founding a culture of continuous improvement. Each is equally important. They overlap and work together in concert and all five are necessary in creating of a vibrant and enduring improvement focused culture. The Five Keys are: Leadership, Engagement, Goal Alignment, Accountability and Resources.

Fixes: Every Continuous Improvement leader will inevitably encounter push-back, disappointment, setbacks and even failures. Your ability to manage and resolve these challenges will be enhanced as we provide time-tested approaches and remedies to several common obstacles.

This book provides those engaged in improvement efforts, in any setting, essential knowledge, skills and remedies needed to confidently spearhead those initiatives. We wrote in a manner that speaks to and connects with the organization's leaders and their frontline colleagues.