What does process improvement aim to enhance within business operations?

Process improvement focuses on enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of business operations. Efficiency refers to the ability to maximize outputs while minimizing inputs, thereby reducing waste and lowering costs. Effectiveness relates to the degree to which operations meet the desired outcomes and achieve business goals. When a company improves its processes, it streamlines workflows, optimizes resource allocation, and enhances the overall performance of its operations, leading to better productivity and quality.

While customer satisfaction and loyalty, market share and revenue, and employee satisfaction and retention are important aspects of a business's success and can be indirectly influenced by improved processes, they are not the primary targets of process improvement itself. Instead, the core aim of process improvement is to create smoother and more productive workflows, which can ultimately contribute to those other areas but are not their direct focus.