IMexI Version 2.0 – 2025: Comprehensive Updates and Enhancements

The IMexI 2025 initiative, rebranded as IMexI Version 2.0, elevates its focus from merely evaluating Business Performance links of Operational Excellence to actively enabling actionability and fostering Continuous Improvement. The following changes and enhancements detail the updated approach.

IMexI Model’s Emphasis Areas

IMexI Version 2.0 integrates a systematic approach to Operational Excellence. The emphasis areas, in sequence, include:

  1. Business Excellence Sustenance Requirements.
  2. Linkage to Operational Metrics and identification of critical ones.
  3. Process Control and Process Performance Requirements.
  4. Work Practices and Skill Development.
  5. Sustenance of Results and Continuous Improvement.

Pre-Assessment Enhancements

Training Session in Mumbai

A one-day training session will be introduced to provide participants with a deeper understanding of the IMexI framework and its criteria.

Purpose:
  • To familiarize participants with the IMexI assessment process.
  • To explain how Business Excellence cascades through:
    • Operational Excellence (OpEx) metrics.
    • Process parameters.
    • Work culture transformation.
Content Overview:
  • Detailed explanation of the rationale behind IMexI criteria.
  • Breakdown of sessions and assessment areas.
  • Insights into what qualifies a site as an Apex Site.

ManEx 4.0 GAP ANALYSER

To prepare sites for the IMexI assessment, the ManEx 4.0 GAP ANALYSER will be introduced as a preparatory step.

Key Features:
  • A 1.5 to 2-day dipstick assessment offered between December 2024 and April 2025.
  • Aims to identify and highlight operational gaps needing improvement.
  • Simulates the IMexI assessment process to help sites prepare better.
  • Does not assign scores but serves as a diagnostic tool.
Conditions:
  • Sites must participate at least six months before the full IMexI assessment.

Training Modules for IMexI Pillars

An indicative list of training modules tailored to each IMexI pillar will be available to guide sites in addressing specific aspects of Operational Excellence, if they so opt to. This will be conducted by various experts and will have varying duration, depending on the topic and the scope.

Post Assessment Enhancements

“Continuous Improvement Champion” Initiative

To ensure sites act on assessment recommendations, IMexI Version 2.0 introduces the “Continuous Improvement Champion” initiative. This program translates observations into actionable plans and projects, with recognition for successful implementation.

Process Overview:
  1. Actionable Report Submission: The IMexI assessment report is shared with the site within 7 days of assessment completion.
  2. Action Planning: Within 3 months, site management:
    • Reviews the report.
    • Identifies actionable projects.
    • Assigns champions and sets mandates, starting references, and target KPI values.
      • Projects Deployment - First Validation : By the end of 3 months, the Authorizing Signatory and Senior Authority validate progress through a certified statement submitted to the IMexI ExComm.
      • Project Implementation - Second Validation: Over the next 3 months, the site implements projects as per the schedule. A final certified statement is submitted to IMexI ExComm at the end of 6 months
    • IMexI Excom Review: This final certified statement is then examined by an IMexI Excomm appointed jury (possibly virtually), at a mutually convenient time.
  3. Recognition: Successfully validated sites will have their OpEx leads and their team recognised as “Champions of Continuous Improvement” certificate during on the IMexI Felicitation Day at the same venue.

What Continues From 2024 Onwards

To maintain continuity and encourage excellence, the following aspects from previous cycles remain unchanged:

PLUS Categories:
  • Commitment Prize: Awarded to sites scoring over 650.
  • Distinguished Prize: Awarded to sites scoring over 750.
  • Apex Prize: Awarded to sites scoring over 850.

Sites must also satisfy other specific conditions to qualify for these categories.
This comprehensive overhaul ensures that IMexI Version 2.0 fosters preparation, drives actionable improvements, and promotes a culture of sustained excellence across participating sites.