Building and Streamlining Work Processes Empowering Your Teams #251010

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Map and Analyze Current Processes: Utilize techniques like Value Stream Mapping and process flowcharting to visually document and identify bottlenecks, delays, and non-value-added activities.

• Apply Core Process Improvement Methodologies: Leverage principles from Lean, Kaizen, and Theory of Constraints to streamline workflows and eliminate waste (Muda).

• Design & Implement Efficient Future-State Processes: Develop clear, standardized, and error-proofed workflows that enhance quality, speed, and clarity.

• Empower Teams Through Process Ownership: Foster a culture where teams are engaged in identifying improvement opportunities and are entrusted with managing their own processes.

• Lead Sustainable Change: Effectively manage the human side of process change, overcoming resistance and embedding a mindset of continuous improvement.

• Measure and Sustain Improvements: Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor process effectiveness and ensure gains are maintained over time.

This course is essential for professionals responsible for the efficiency, output, and morale of their teams and departments.

• Team Leaders & Supervisors

• Operations & Department Managers

• Project & Program Managers

• Quality Assurance & Continuous Improvement Specialists

• HR Business Partners involved in organizational development

• High-Potential Employees being groomed for leadership roles

• Any professional tasked with improving team productivity and cross-functional workflows.

• Pre-assessment
• Live group instruction
• Use of real-world examples, case studies and exercises
• Interactive participation and discussion
• Power point presentation, LCD and flip chart
• Group activities and tests
• Each participant receives a binder containing a copy of the presentation
• slides and handouts
• Post-assessment

Day 1: The Foundation – Seeing Your Work as a Process

• Morning:

  • Module 1: The Power of Process: Introduction to how intentional process design drives efficiency, quality, and team empowerment.

  • Module 2: Identifying the Eight Wastes (Muda): Learn to spot the classic forms of waste in any process: defects, overproduction, waiting, and more.

• Afternoon:

  • Module 3: Basic Process Mapping: Hands-on training in creating As-Is process flowcharts to visually document the current state.

  • Workshop: Map Your Process: Participants select a real workflow from their job and create its current-state map.

  • Day 1 Recap: Making the invisible visible.

Day 2: Deep Analysis – Diagnosing Inefficiency and Bottlenecks

• Morning:

  • Module 4: Value Stream Mapping (VSM): A deeper dive into mapping the full flow of materials and information, focusing on lead time vs. value-add time.

  • Module 5: Root Cause Analysis: Using tools like the 5 Whys and Fishbone (Ishikawa) Diagrams to move beyond symptoms to the true source of problems.

• Afternoon:

  • Workshop: Analyze Your Map: Participants use their Day 1 maps to identify bottlenecks, waste, and root causes of inefficiency.

  • Group Discussion: Sharing findings and common themes across different processes.

  • Day 2 Recap: Finding the leverage points for improvement.

Day 3: Designing the Future State – Principles of Streamlining

• Morning:

  • Module 6: Lean Principles for Streamlining: Applying concepts like 5S (Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain) for workplace organization and flow.

  • Module 7: Error-Proofing (Poka-Yoke) & Standardization: Designing processes to prevent mistakes and creating standard work procedures for consistency and training.

• Afternoon:

  • Module 8: Designing the To-Be Process: Techniques for brainstorming and creating an ideal future-state process map.

  • Workshop: Build Your Future-State: Participants redesign their Day 1 process to be leaner, faster, and more effective.

  • Day 3 Recap: Designing for excellence.

Day 4: The Human Element – Empowerment and Implementing Change

• Morning:

  • Module 9: Empowering Teams Through Process Ownership: Shifting from command-and-control to coaching and facilitation. How to let teams define and own their improvements.

  • Module 10: Leading Change & Overcoming Resistance: Understanding the psychological aspects of change and using communication strategies to gain buy-in.

• Afternoon:

  • Module 11: Introduction to Kaizen: Fostering a culture of continuous, incremental improvement through structured blitzes and team engagement.

  • Simulation: The Change Agent: A role-playing exercise to practice coaching a team through a process change initiative.

  • Day 4 Recap: People power process.

Day 5: Execution and Sustenance – Making it Last

• Morning:

  • Module 12: Pilot Testing & Implementation Planning: How to roll out a new process on a small scale, gather feedback, and create a full implementation plan.

  • Module 13: Measuring Success: Identifying the right KPIs (e.g., cycle time, error rate, capacity) to measure the impact of your new process.

• Afternoon:

  • Capstone Activity: My Process Improvement Project: Participants finalize a complete plan for improving their selected process, including a future-state map, implementation steps, and metrics for success.

  • Presentation & Peer Feedback: Participants present their plans and receive constructive feedback.

  • Course Conclusion: Committing to action, final review, and awarding of certificates.