PBSRG - Continuous Improvement Research

Continuous Improvement Program
The Continuous Improvement (CI) program was created to assist vendors in improving their level of performance. The information allows vendors to compare themselves within and without the organization. The goals of the CI program are to:

Improve the quality of work performed
Establish a foundation to implement continuous improvement programs
Motivate improvement by key personnel
Identify performing employees
Identify strengths and weaknesses of the company and its employees
Minimize bias in determining a company's strengths and weaknesses

The CI program is tailored to each company's requirements but generally includes the following services:

Performance updates on the company's strengths and weaknesses
Performance updates on each supervisor's strengths and weaknesses
A three-hour presentation to the company's staff and valued users on the use of performance information and value of performance.
Information posted on PBSRG's web site

The CI program greatly depends on the amount of research /education performed. A basic CI program can be implemented from $2,500 - $5,000. Customized programs, which are typically done for manufacturers to identify performing contractors and performing systems, can be implemented from $15,000 - $150,000 depending on the scope of the research.

The Performance Information Procurement System
The Performance Information Procurement System (PIPS) was created to assist owners in selecting best-value contractors based on performance information. Traditional contracting systems (such as the low-bid contracting method) award contracts based on the lowest cost. This process does not take into account any other factors such as:

Quality and user satisfaction of work performed in the past
Quality of subcontractors being used
Past performance of the project manager and site supervisors
Current ability to identify areas of risk and their method of minimizing the risk

Unfortunately, any one of these factors may lead to poor performance on a project. The Performance Information Procurement System (PIPS) selects contractors based on performance and price. Information is processed using an Artificial Intelligence (AI) computer program that transforms data into non-biased information. Clients may then use the information to make documented and justified procurement awards.

The PIPS process has been run on smaller projects (under $5,000) to large projects ($50 Million). A majority of the PIPS implementations have been done on construction procurements, but the process has also been implemented in non-construction areas as well. The following is a list of areas where PIPS has been implemented:

The PIPS process is tailored to each clients requirements. Organizations can learn about the system by attending yearly seminars. The process has been implemented with private organizations and public (city, state, and federal).