Continuous Process Improvement, Data Science, and Statistical Analysis
Today provides us all with an opportunity to share our experiences and learn from one another. Here are a few things I’d like to share; hopefully they help some of you along your journey. Have a plan. This involves thinking ahead and identifying gaps between your future needs and where you currently stand. Today it…
A recent article in Harvard Business Review calls to attention some of the challenges inherent in analyzing Human Resources data. The writer, Peter Cappelli, points out that analysis of HR data is hampered by a variety of factors including legal issues encountered when crossing international borders, lack of abundant data, and a sense that not…
I just added a new book to my Resources page on my site. Mike Pereira’s new book After Further Review: My Life Including the Infamous, Controversial, and Unforgettable Calls That Changed the NFL has some great nuggets on change management that apply to any change methodology you may be using. It is a must-read if…
At its heart, Continuous Improvement requires persuasive communication skills. This is because of the inherent resistance to change that all change agents encounter. Make no mistake: people don’t want to change. If they did, tobacco manufacturers would have gone the way of the dodo many decades ago. But people like their bad habits, no matter…
Continuous Improvement is challenging. It seems some days as if there just isn’t enough time, and although there is a never-ending list of improvement opportunities some days you just can’t seem to get anything done. But there is something you can do about it. I call it the “5S Fly-by”. A 5S Fly-by can be…
In any change leadership situation, it can be challenging to get buy-in from the people involved. This is especially true when changing culture. There are many ways to approach this challenge in Continuous Process Improvement. Involving those affected by the change in the decision-making process is incredibly important, as is communication of expectations. Quite possibly…
I recently conducted a 5S workshop and encountered what is commonly referred to as “the frozen middle” (mid-level managers who, either intentionally or unintentionally impede change). While working with my team to design our new process flow, a member of our front-line leadership team walked past us and commented that our design “would never work”…
If you’re like me, you can’t stand being micromanaged. Micromanagement crushes productivity and morale. Nobody wants to work for a micro-manager. The worst part is that micro-managers don’t usually realize that they are causing problems. They feel that they are being proactive and doing an extra-groovy job ensuring that the job gets done. So simply…
Shigeo Shingo is well-known in Continuous Process Improvement, and his ideas permeate much of what is accomplished in the CPI arena. One of my favorite ideas that came from him follows in the quote below, and it can be a big help to you if you are seeking direction in how to approach your Lean…
Are you “spinning your wheels” but getting nothing done? Jumping from task to task without making progress? Wondering why you can’t move forward on your projects? Drowning in data? Just can’t figure out what to do next? You, like me, may suffer from Analysis Paralysis. For me, it is something I always have to be…