Definition
The few key improvement themes derived from the annual breakthrough objectives (Annual Improvement Priorities, AIP), for which TTI and an Action Plan are then set; it is the layer in Policy Deployment that connects Annual Objectives and Action Plans with resource allocation.
In detail
An improvement priority (Annual Improvement Priority, AIP) translates the annual breakthrough objective into a small number of key themes that need improvement across periods; it is not an ordinary to-do, nor an intellectual property process. It should state the business result to change, the current gap, and the responsible organization, and it is derived from the annual breakthrough objective, after which a TTI (tracking indicator) and an action plan are set for it. The abbreviation IP may also refer to Intellectual Property in other materials, so the interface must distinguish by context; the intellectual property meaning is uniformly explained as 'Intellectual Property Process (IPP)'.
Example in practice
The company's three-year target requires increasing new product revenue share from 15% to 30%. The team lists 'shortening the cycle from customer need to launch' as an improvement priority, then sets targets for approval cycle, trial production cycle, and launch on-time rate for the current year. If it merely writes 'strengthen innovation' without gaps, metrics, and responsible persons, it cannot enter the policy deployment matrix.