The last few weeks we have introduced you to Lean Manufacturing or the Lean Production System, which I shorten to say “Lean” as it applies to all industries. I also shared a short list of what a Lean system does.  The first tool that I introduced was the Value Stream Map since that is the first step to identify a continuous improvement project. What if we have identified several areas for improvement, how do we decide? I am glad you asked, here are the 3 focus areas that I take into consideration when prioritizing projects so after you have reviewed the criteria, take a vote. Since process improvement projects have a range of impacts to the stakeholders it is important to weigh the impact by taking a vote.  Everyone is on a level playing field so everyone’s vote weighs the same. The CEO’s vote weighs the same as the custodian, for example. List the project ideas, give everyone 3 -5 votes, if they feel especially strong about a particular category, they can put all their votes in that category. Total each category, In the case of a tie, scale it to those categories that were tied and vote again.

1.Examples of symptoms that process improvement may be needed:​

Trouble meeting quality, cost, or time requirements​

 Lack of cooperation in how work is carried out​

Customer complaints​

Frustration​

Tasks take too long or get done incorrectly​

2. Examples of criteria:

Cost-saving potential​

Causes a lot of customer complaints​

Opportunity for improvement​

Easy to change​

Source of staff frustration​

3. Plot potential problem processes against our criteria.​

Rate each process on each criterion, on a scale of 1 to 5.

Total up the ratings: The process with the highest total is the one