Problem solving frameworks
Mobilize and Execute
- Do your employees understand the organization’s “North Star”?
- How do you translate a strategy into something meaningful for your teams?
- This translation can take a company from good to great!
The framework for implementation
A strategy must be converted into visible measures of success
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Identify initiatives that will deliver on strategies
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Identify product/process streams and inputs & outputs
Performance measures are achieved by structured improvement initiatives
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Initiatives are chartered with specific scopes and targets
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Set targets that motivate the organization
Organizational schematics visualize this linkage and align employees’ work to objectives
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Employees are engaged in these initiatives and can see alignment
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Leading indicators are identified and tied to top level measures
Change Accelerated
- Why do large initiatives fall flat?
- What are the obstacles that obstruct improvement?
- New initiatives are met with a host of challenges, navigating this takes skill and experience.
The framework for implementation
A good problem definition increases success
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Assess organizational readiness
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Develop the business case for change
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Develop measures of success and align the organization around them
A structured approach uncovers the optimal solution
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Facilitate collaborative problem solving sessions
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Break the program down into solvable pieces that demonstrate progress
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Drives persistence and urgency!
Difficult problems require a skilled facilitator
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Black Belts can be assigned internally or recruited to support large initiatives
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Black Belts have a unique set of talents in both analytics and influence
Launch with Confidence
- What do we risk in the launch of a new product?
- Has engineering thoroughly investigated all of the potential challenges?
- There is much to be lost when we fail to meet customer expectations.
The framework for implementation
Idea generation
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Develop critical customer requirements
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Affinitize customer needs
Product development
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Translate customer requirements into technical requirements
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Translate technical requirements into quality and operational requirements
Testing and Launch
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Predict and mitigate failure modes
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Develop ongoing control plans
Kaizen Blitz!
- Typical workshops lack structure for success.
- Team-based energy and creativity delivers improvement through collaboration and direct involvement.
The framework for implementation
Rapid improvement
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Bias for action
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Results oriented
Team based problem solving
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Clearly stated and visible mission that the team is committed to achieve
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Creativity before capital
Structured problem solving
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5 days dedicated to solving a well scoped problem
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Data driven, fact-based balanced against try and learn and try again
Achieve Excellence Everyday
- Too often employees work around problems that are hidden from management.
- Lean Six Sigma tools provide the foundation for exposing problems and implementing systemic solutions.
The framework for implementation
Develop problem solving knowledge
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White Belt training
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Yellow Belt training
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Green Belt training
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Black Belt training
Gain problem solving experience
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Apply Plan, Do, Check, Act to standard work
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Provide coaching to improve problem solving applications
Manage for daily improvement
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Visualize work and performance
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Engage leadership in daily work discussions
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Develop future leaders through every day problem solving




