GOING TO IMPROVE SOMETHING, IMPROVE IT!

If you have Defined, Measured and Analyzed, if nothing else you are one smart cookie. More importantly, if your team has survived, this is the stage they will come back together and the excitement can be re-kindled. Let's put it all into action: In the Improved stage, we must find and implement solutions that will eliminate the cause of problems. We typically go through a five step process.
1. Generate ideas.
2. Refine ideas.
3. Select a solution
4. Test.
5. Implement

I have a tendency to use two different tools at this point: One being an impact/effort matrix and the other being a tree diagram. As we are generating ideas are refining ideas. If we can place the ideas in impact/effort matrix it simplifies the solution process.

After we are done brainstorming using the famous posted notes method, just post the notes into their appropriate squares, as we see fit. You may even segment them in the squares themselves as your reviewing them. Ask yourself is this easier to do than this? Or will this have minimum impact from a customer standpoint. It is even great to have an online focus group of customers, operations, sales, etc., that are willing to participate and pick which solutions will have the greatest impact.

So let's say we have narrowed our solutions but we have 2 or 3 really good ideas but have difficulty deciding on which one to test. A tree diagram is what I use. The reason I wait to this stage is that I did not want to limit any ideas at the beginning. Using the tree diagram allows me to expand on each idea and drill down on how difficult it will be to implement and the exact strategies and tactics and even resources that may be needed.

Testing follows a project planning guideline that is somewhat beyond the scope of this blog post, but what it is a mini-project in itself with one more important ingredient. Ask yourself two questions: Did we get the results we wanted and did we follow the procedures outline? Don't fall in love with your idea that you compromise the results.

After the testing, we are actually ready to implement, except we have to put some controls in for stability of the process! Don't settle for routine improvements. If you want your creative juices to flow, push yourself to eliminate and make radical improvement of 200% or more. Seek cost reductions of half or more. Go for it!