How to Achieve Quick Process Improvements in Just 60 Days

Improving a business process doesn’t always mean starting from scratch. With the right strategy, small and targeted changes can lead to measurable improvements—without disrupting day-to-day operations.

Think of it like upgrading a moving vehicle. You make careful adjustments while keeping things running, so work stays on track while results improve in the background.

A 60-day sprint strikes the right balance. It’s long enough to test ideas, measure progress, and refine your approach—yet short enough to stay focused and avoid delays.

This guide shows how support teams and operations leads can use frameworks like PDCA and DMAIC to make meaningful changes quickly, efficiently, and with lasting results.

Why the 60‑Day Window Works

A 60-day timeframe creates a healthy sense of urgency while still allowing time for meaningful change. It’s ideal for testing improvements, gathering feedback, and making refinements before rollout.

Structured frameworks like PDCA and DMAIC fit naturally into this window. Teams can complete one or two full improvement cycles—plan, act, review, and adjust—without the delays or distractions that often derail longer projects.

The fixed timeline also helps maintain team focus, encourage fast learning, and build strong feedback loops that make each cycle more effective. Instead of chasing perfection, the goal becomes progress—quick, practical, and sustainable.

Frameworks to Structure the 60‑Day Sprint

To move efficiently in just 60 days, teams need a clear structure. The PDCA and DMAIC frameworks offer two practical, proven ways to guide short-cycle improvement projects.

1. PDCA (Plan‑Do‑Check‑Act)

The PDCA cycle, refined by W. Edwards Deming, supports continuous improvement through small, low-risk experiments.

• Plan – Define a clear goal, map the current process, and identify measurable targets. Look for bottlenecks or repetitive tasks that need streamlining.
• Do – Test changes on a small scale—one team, one region, or one function. Keep it focused and measurable.
• Check – Evaluate results. Use simple metrics like error rate, time saved, or satisfaction scores to determine impact.
• Act – Refine the solution or scale it up. If it works, document it and extend to other areas.

Within 60 days, it’s often possible to complete two PDCA loops—starting with a small test and expanding the successful version mid-sprint.

2. DMAIC (Define‑Measure‑Analyze‑Improve‑Control)

DMAIC, rooted in Six Sigma methodology, adds more rigour and data discipline to process improvement.

• Define – Select a specific process to improve and clearly state the outcome you want.
• Measure – Gather baseline data on performance, such as response times, costs, or quality issues.
• Analyze – Use root cause tools (e.g., fishbone diagrams or Pareto analysis) to isolate key problems.
• Improve – Test solutions in a controlled environment, adjusting as needed.
• Control – Embed changes in daily routines, assign ownership, and track progress using live dashboards or weekly reviews.

This structure divides well into a 30-day diagnostic phase and a 30-day implementation phase—fitting the 60-day timeline cleanly.1

Day 1–30: Build Your Foundation

The first month should focus on setting the groundwork: selecting the right process, understanding current performance, and identifying where changes will have the most impact.

Define Scope and Goals

Start by choosing one process to improve—something specific like lead follow-up, invoice approval, or customer onboarding. Define a clear objective (e.g., reduce turnaround time by 25%) and make sure the process is small enough to track but important enough to matter.

Map the Current State

Document the process step by step with help from frontline staff. Tools like SIPOC diagrams or process flowcharts can help uncover delays, handoffs, or unnecessary complexity. Honest feedback from team members doing the work is essential at this stage.

Measure Baselines

Gather data from the last month to create your baseline. Key metrics might include cycle time, error rates, cost per transaction, or satisfaction scores. This data sets the benchmark for evaluating progress later.

Analyze Root Causes

Use techniques like the 5 Whys, fishbone diagrams, or Pareto analysis to identify the main bottlenecks or issues. Focus on the top two or three factors causing delays, rework, or inconsistency.

Plan Interventions

Design small pilot tests for improvement. Limit these to one team or one client segment. Include a mid-sprint review at the 30-day mark to assess what’s working and adjust plans before wider rollout.

Days 31–60: Implement, Adjust and Expand

With your foundation in place, the second half of the sprint should focus on rolling out improvements, measuring results, refining workflows, and locking in changes.

Step 1: Execute Changes

Roll out the updated process to a broader team or additional clients. Keep communication open—make sure everyone knows what’s changing and why. Monitor closely so issues can be addressed early before they spread.

Step 2: Evaluate Results

Compare new performance data against the baseline. Measure things like cycle time, error reduction, or cost savings. Also gather informal feedback to spot hidden issues or missed opportunities.

Step 3: Apply Adjustments

Use the insights from real-world rollout to fine-tune the process. If something isn’t working as planned, adjust. Once confident in the changes, extend them across more teams to scale the benefit.

Step 4: Sustain Gains

Update SOPs, dashboards, and internal documentation. Provide brief training to reinforce the new process. Assign a clear owner to monitor performance and ensure long-term adherence and continuous improvement.

Blue Ocean Case Study: Customer Service Optimization in 60 Days

Blue Ocean partnered with a multinational IT corporation to modernize customer service by reducing manual processing and introducing targeted automation. The goal was to lower call volume and free up frontline agents for higher-value tasks—without disrupting operations.

The Challenge

The client needed to reduce repetitive tasks and manual inputs in their contact centres. While this shift toward automation could reduce revenue for Blue Ocean as a BPO provider, the team chose to embrace the opportunity for innovation and process improvement.

The Approach

Blue Ocean deployed subject matter experts and a Prosci-certified change management lead to identify automation opportunities and manage adoption smoothly. The team streamlined workflows by automating transactional tasks like part processing and simplifying tracking for high-touch clients.

The Outcome

Within two months, the client saw a reduction of 22 hours of manual work each month and $25,000 in quarterly savings. Agents shifted focus to more complex service issues, improving customer experience. The collaboration delivered measurable value while laying the groundwork for continued innovation and enterprise-wide gains. 2

Tips to Accelerate Results

Speed up improvement efforts by focusing on practical, low-friction strategies that build momentum without overwhelming your team.

✔ Narrow the Scope: Focus on one process—like ticket escalation or order approvals—not entire departments.

✔ Pilot First: Test changes with a small group before scaling up. Early feedback helps refine your approach.

✔ Include Frontline Staff: Tap into their insights—they know what slows things down and what shortcuts are already in use.

✔ Set Measurable Goals: Track cycle time, error rates, cost savings, and satisfaction to assess progress clearly.

✔ Use Weekly Standups: Keep projects on track with short, recurring meetings to surface blockers and adjust quickly.

✔ Create Feedback Loops: Use short surveys or debriefs to capture reactions and ideas during the rollout.

✔ Embed Changes: Update SOPs, dashboards, and training. Assign a process owner to maintain focus.

Common Pitfalls in 60-Day Sprints—and How to Prevent Them

Even well-planned improvement efforts can hit snags. The table below highlights common pitfalls in short-term sprints—and how to avoid them with clear, proactive steps.

Measuring What Changed

To understand the effectiveness of your 60-day sprint, track outcomes using clear before-and-after comparisons. Key metrics might include reductions in cycle time (in minutes or days), fewer errors, cost savings, or more time freed up for high-value work.

Also collect feedback from frontline employees or clients. Qualitative insights can highlight shifts in satisfaction, clarity, or ease of workflow—elements that raw numbers may miss.

Without measurement, progress becomes anecdotal. Data helps validate improvements, identify what worked, and guide future adjustments.

Creating a Routine for Always Getting Better

Don’t let the 60-day sprint be a one-off. Use it as a launchpad for continuous improvement. Encourage teams to regularly revisit processes, test small changes, and share lessons.

Support improvement ideas from the ground up. Recognize staff contributions with simple incentives or public shoutouts. Rotate process ownership so more team members build problem-solving skills.

Maintain visibility with dashboards that track key metrics and flag emerging issues. The goal is to embed improvement into daily work—not as a side project, but as a core habit.

Conclusion

Meaningful change doesn’t require a massive overhaul. In just 60 days, teams can make measurable progress by focusing on one process, testing improvements, and reviewing results with intention.

When guided by structured methods like PDCA or DMAIC, small changes add up—reducing waste, saving time, and improving quality. A short sprint creates momentum and shows what’s possible without disrupting daily work.

Instead of waiting for the perfect time or large budget, start small and build a habit of improvement. A strong 60-day plan isn’t the finish line—it’s the beginning of better ways of working.