Here are 10 common reasons why improvement programs and projects fail: 

1. Taking a piece-meal approach rather than extending the program across the entire organization.
2. Limiting quality improvement efforts to one area such as production, excluding other areas like accounting, personnel or purchasing.
3. Doing business as usual - announcing a quality program but failing to follow up on the commitment and remaining focused on cost reductions and production volumes.
4. Omitting changes in reward (compensation) resulting in behavior that is contradictory to the quality effort.
5. Adopting a “technique-only” focus – it’s not so much about introducing new techniques as it is about changing attitudes and assumptions.
6. Engaging in hoopla without substance. Hoopla is fine, provided there is “meat” behind it.
7. Failing to involve customers and suppliers who should be a natural part of the process.
8. Putting too little emphasis on training which should be done as early as possible.
9. Setting sights too low. If you’re going to change, do it right – shoot high.
10. Poor communication – Good communication is required – often and in many different ways – to make the improvement program understood and accepted by all.