Process Control vs. Improvement

Many a times we hear people mixing the two concepts of Process Control and Process Improvement. Process Control Monitoring a process so that it operates within its capability range or specified performance target. As soon as any deviation from the capability range or specified performance target is detected, investigation must be carried out. And as appropriate, suitable actions must be initiated to bring the process performance back under control. Attempting to keep a process under control is not improvement as many times it is supposed to be thought of as. Operating within the capability range or specified performance target should be viewed as 'Business As Usual'. Process Improvement Improvement simply means performing better than the current level of performance (as reflected in the capability range or the specified performance target). Improvement would invariably mean adjusting the capability range of specified performance target in the favorable direction.