What Does RADAR Stand For?
You have probably heard of radar before. However, we are not going to explore the radar that stands for RAdio Detection And Ranging, an acronym created in 1940 by the United States Navy. Radar is a detection system that uses radio waves to find the position of objects that cannot be seen. EFQM’s version of RADAR stands for Results, Approach, Deployment, Assessment and Refinement.
Although the two acronyms have different meanings, there is a similarity in that both tools help you to see things differently. They help you to gain insights and to see something that is not usually visible to the naked eye.
If you have been involved in learning about continuous improvement before, you may have come across the work of Dr W. Edwards Deming or Walter A. Shewhart. EFQM’s RADAR logic is a more detailed version of the well-known PDCA or PDSA cycle made famous by Shewhart then Deming in the 1950’s.
The powerful combination of the EFQM Model and RADAR working together can help any organisation to improve its performance in strategically important areas.
Firstly, the Criteria of the EFQM Model show you what outstanding organisations do. They help to highlight your own organisation’s good practices and gaps.
Secondly, RADAR helps you to identify how effectively and efficiently you are working and what could be improved.
R is for RESULTS. The idea here is to start out with the end in mind. In other words, you start by defining the RESULTS you want to achieve.
A is APPROACH. Plan and develop processes or activities that will help you to achieve your desired results.
D is for DEPLOYMENT. Deploy, or implement your chosen approaches throughout the organisation.
A is for ASSESSMENT. Stop and check that your chosen approaches are working in the way you expected. Have they been fully implemented? Are they giving you the right results?
R is for REFINEMENT. Take a step back and reflect on what you have learned from feedback or good practices in other organisations. What improvements could, or should be made to the way you are doing things?
We will go into more depth with RADAR over the coming steps.
What experience do you have of any continuous improvement cycles? Have you used PDCA, PDSA or RADAR before?
Reach your personal and professional goals
Unlock access to hundreds of expert online courses and degrees from top universities and educators to gain accredited qualifications and professional CV-building certificates.
Join over 18 million learners to launch, switch or build upon your career, all at your own pace, across a wide range of topic areas.
