What is continuous improvement and management review?

flowchart TD
    A[Continuous improvement] -->|driven by| B[Feedback & findings]
    B --> C[Internal audits]
    B --> D[Non-conformities]
    B --> E[Accidents/near-misses]
    B --> F[External audits/PSC]
    C & D & E & F --> G[Management review]
    G --> H[Decisions & actions]
    H --> I[Improve SMS]
    H --> J[Improve services]
    H --> K[Resource needs]

• Definition: Continuous improvement is the iterative process of enhancing SMS performance using feedback, audits, incidents and near-misses
• Definition: Management review is the formal, periodic evaluation by top management to check SMS objectives and identify improvement opportunities
• Continuous improvement inputs: Internal/external audits, non-conformities, accidents/hazardous occurrences/near-misses, personnel feedback, trends and root-cause analysis from records
• Management review inputs: Audit results, interested party feedback, process performance and statutory compliance, status of preventive/corrective actions, follow-up actions from previous reviews, changes affecting SMS, improvement recommendations
• Management review outputs: Decisions and actions for SMS effectiveness improvement, service improvements related to statutory/safety objectives, resource requirements
• Record-keeping: Minutes of management review meetings must be recorded, corrective actions allocated and tracked
• Chief Engineer role: Provide shipboard data, participate in review, implement decisions/actions, ensure corrective actions recorded/followed up, verify improvements and SMS objectives met
• Governing instrument: ISM Code, MEPC.7/Circ.5 Annex §5.2, MEPC.7/Circ.8 Annex §5.2