Managing Improvement Projects Under Continuous Improvement: Practices, Portfolios, and Failure Factors – Evidence from Polish Industry

Abstract

The study investigated the role and effectiveness of improvement projects (IPs) which have been implemented within the Continuous Improvement (CI) framework in Polish manufacturing companies. Although CI practices are widely recognized worldwide, little is known about how such projects are organized and managed in Poland. A survey has been conducted using computer-aided telephone interviewing (CATI) among 70 managers and quality specialists from manufacturing firms to address this gap. The research examined the types and frequency of IPs, project management methodologies (PMMs), the presence of project portfolios, and the impact of critical failure factors (CFFs) on project outcomes. The results show that projects focused on quality, efficiency, and waste reduction are the most common, whereas Six Sigma and 5S initiatives are less frequently applied. Organizations with higher CI maturity tend to engage more actively in improvement projects and use PMMs more consistently. In practice, tool-based approaches, such as project schedules or charters, are preferred over more formalized methodologies, like PMI or PRINCE2. The findings also reveal that operational barriers – especially insufficient engagement of project leaders – undermine the success of CI initiatives. This research offers the first empirical evidence on CI-related projects in Polish manufacturing, highlighting both enablers and barriers, and provides practical recommendations for managers seeking to strengthen the strategic impact of their improvement efforts.