Continuous Improvement

Continuous Improvement is a business philosophy or system that's based on making incremental improvement on a regular basis. EPA's Lean Management System (ELMS) is the agency's current approach to continuous improvement. The system uses Lean principles and tools paired with routine measurement and engagement to identify problems, solve problems, and sustain improvements.

Basic Information

This video explains how EPA employees make improvements to the speed and quality at which they deliver services to the American people using EPA’s Lean Management System (ELMS).

Success Stories

Nearing Full Implementation, EPA's Lean Management System Delivers Results
More news releases about ELMS results
Video:

Learn how EPA's "web-wellness" team uses ELMS principles to eliminated bad and broken web links as well as expiring web pages on EPA's web site.

State and Tribe Deployments

In the spirit of continuous improvement, EPA would like to share its experience implementing ELMS with state and Tribal partners. EPA intends to work with states on a variety of permit processes including but not limited to water, air quality and hazardous waste permits, and to work with Tribes on shared governance processes. The agency will focus on permits issued by states and Tribes on behalf of EPA including authorized and delegated permits.

EPA Lean Management System (ELMS) Fact Sheet for States and Tribes (PDF)(2 pp, 4 MB)
EPA State and Tribal ELMS Deployment Program (PDF)(4 pp, 125 K)
EPA State and Tribal ELMS Deployment Program Readiness Assessment (PDF)(4 pp, 122 K)

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