BY ORDER OF THE
SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE
AIR FORCE POLICY DIRECTIVE 38-4
23 AUGUST 2018
Manpower and Organization
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT AND
AIRMEN POWERED BY INNOVATION
PROGRAM
COMPLIANCE WITH THIS PUBLICATION IS MANDATORY
ACCESSIBILITY: Publications and forms are available on the e-Publishing website at
www.e-Publishing.af.mil for downloading or ordering.
RELEASABILITY: There are no releasability restrictions on this publication.
OPR: SAF/MGM
Supersedes: AFPD 38-4, 1 June 1998
Certified by: SAF/MG
(Mr. Richard W. Lombardi)
Pages: 3
This Air Force Policy Directive implements Department of Defense Instruction 5010.43, Implementation
and Management of the DoD-Wide Continuous Process Improvement/Lean Six Sigma (CPI/
LSS) Program; Department of Defense Directive 5010.42, DoD-Wide Continuous Process
Improvement (CPI)/Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Program; Department of Defense Instruction 1400.25,
DoD Civilian Personnel Management System: Awards. This Directive was developed in collaboration
with the Chief of Air Force Reserve (AF/RE) and the Director of the Air National Guard (NGB/CF).
The Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force, Management (SAF/MG) develops policy for
Continuous Process Improvement policy and the Airmen Powered by Innovation program which
apply to all Total Force Airmen (e.g. Regular, Reserve, and Guard Airmen and civilians).
Refer recommended changes and questions about this publication to the Office of Primary Responsibility
using the AF Form 847, Recommendation for Change of Publication; route AF Forms 847 from the field
through appropriate functional’s chain of command. Ensure all records created as a result of
processes prescribed in this publication are maintained in accordance with Air Force Manual 33-363,
Management of Records, and disposed of in accordance with Air Force Records Information
Management System Records Disposition Schedule.
SUMMARY OF CHANGES
This Directive has been substantially revised and needs to be completely reviewed. Major
changes include a new publication title, formalization of the Air Force’s continuous
improvement and innovation processes, and the deletion of sample metrics and terms.
