Which of the following is NOT one of the four steps of an effective process improvement process?

The correct answer identifies an option that does not align with the standard four steps of an effective process improvement process, which typically include assessing opportunities, acting on those opportunities, and measuring results.

The crucial aspect of this process is its cyclical nature, which usually encompasses recognizing areas for improvement, devising actions to leverage those opportunities, and then evaluating the effectiveness of those actions through measurement.

While implementing a new policy could be a result of the actions taken in the improvement process, it is not itself recognized as a distinct step within the core framework of process improvement. This indicates that the focus should remain on assessing current capabilities, taking appropriate actions, and measuring outcomes rather than simply instituting new policies. Thus, the identification of "implementing a new policy" as outside the foundational steps reflects an understanding of process improvement as a systematic and iterative methodology rather than a standalone action.