Continuous improvement is a principal objective sought in the world’s most advanced companies. One concept being implemented in quality management systems is Foreign Object Debris (FOD) elimination. This paper explores problems associated with stagnant quality systems and provides knowledge to quality professionals in understanding how to develop a successful approach to FOD elimination by changing a company’s organizational culture.

This paper examines the implementation of FOD elimination as an approach for companies to execute continuous improvement by changing their organizational culture using the ADKAR (Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability, Reinforcement) change management model.

The approach to research is to review lessons learned, standards, theoretical literature, industry journal entries, and case studies regarding the effectiveness of FOD elimination efforts as a means to improve the organizational culture of a company.

Achieving positive culture change is an approach to continuously improve working environments where risks associated with people interacting within systems occurs.