The Continuous Process Improvement (CPI) Program is a department-sponsored initiative committed to stimulating, promoting and sustaining a culture of improvement throughout all levels of the department. It provides an environment and mechanism to stimulate healthy competition, share ideas and promote opportunities to learn new techniques and methods that will improve the department's products and services.

We should implement CPI principles for several reasons:

• Better Public Image
• Improve Quality of Service
• Improve Productivity
• Increase Morale
• Improve Teamwork
• Improve Communications
• Problems Solved at Lower Level
• Satisfy Customers & Stakeholders

The Quality Enhancement and Training & Development Units have trained instructors and facilitators to assist you in implementing CPI in your organization. The CPI materials include:

• CPI Guide
• Teams: Getting Started
• Tool Box
• List of Facilitators
• CPI Charter

The first step to implement CPI in an organization is the understanding and commitment of management of the basic principles of CPI. Without management commitment and leadership to the CPI philosophy, the process will not work. Quality Enhancement can provide materials and information so that individuals can learn the CPI process and principles.

If you want to talk about implementing CPI in your unit, call 919-508-1867 or E-mail Contact Us for information.

Under the direction of the CPI Steering Committee, the program established a CPI Awards Program to recognize teams that have implemented innovative improvements. There are seven award categories: Dollar Savings, Customer Service, Cycle Time Reduction, Labor Hour Savings, Energy and Environment, Communications and Safety Improvement.

During the annual CPI Conference, award winning projects that have been submitted for competition are displayed for their creative and inventive ideas during an exhibition that is open to all NCDOT employees.

To find out more about the CPI Program send us an email through Contact Us.

The "CPI GUIDE" is an internally developed ten step method of improving processes. It details those ten steps and assists leaders and team members in using a systematic process to facilitate effective change.

"Teams Getting Started" was developed by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources to assist teams in making effective use of their time and in avoiding pitfalls common to teams.

The "Team Charter" Form was developed by Quality Enhancement to assist teams in establishing a formal charter for teams including all major needed components. This ensures that all stakeholders and team members have a shared vision of both the team role and individual roles in process change.

Many of us need tools to complete assigned tasks. The "CPI Toolbox" contains descriptions and examples of the primary tools used by teams or individuals in managing process improvements or in validating performance measures present in current or proposed processes.

Awards Criteria

Application Instructions

Application Checklist

View Completed Applications from Award Winners


2009 Results & Award Application Form - Word