Continuous or Continual Improvement?

May 24, 2025•2 minute read

While often used interchangeably (and sometimes incorrectly), “continuous” and “continual” have different meanings, especially when discussing improvement processes.

Continuous Improvement

Meaning: Happening without interruption. Think of a smooth, unbroken line moving upwards. It implies a constant flow of small improvements happening all the time.
Focus: Maintaining momentum and making incremental changes consistently. It’s about embedding improvement into daily work.
Example: A factory floor using Kaizen principles – workers are constantly looking for tiny ways to improve their processes, every day, as part of their routine. A software team deploying updates multiple times a day based on real-time user feedback is also practicing continuous improvement.
Think: “Always happening.”

Continual Improvement

Meaning: Happening repeatedly, with intervals. Think of a series of steps or cycles, each building upon the last. It doesn’t necessarily mean something is happening right now, but that it happens regularly.
Focus: Planned reviews and updates at defined periods. It’s about structured improvement activities.
Example: A company conducting annual audits of its quality management system, identifying areas for improvement, and then implementing changes based on those audit findings. Or a project team holding sprint retrospectives every two weeks to review what went well and what could be better.
Think: “Happening repeatedly.”

Why does this matter?

In many quality management systems (like those based on ISO standards), “continual improvement” is preferred because it’s more realistic. It acknowledges that organizations can’t always be in a state of constant change. Structured, regular reviews and improvements are often more sustainable than trying to implement changes 24/7.

However, the ideal scenario often involves both: a foundation of continuous improvement activities (small daily tweaks) supported by periods of more focused continual improvement efforts (like audits or major process redesigns).