Toolbox
1
How can I discover what the current problems are and why they are happening?
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Tools for Identifying Obstacles:
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Communication Circle
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Empathy Map
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Fishbone
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5 Whys
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Gemba
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Process Mapping
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Spaghetti Diagram
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Tally Sheet
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Voice of the Customer
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Pareto Chart
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Bottlenecks
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Value Stream Mapping
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7 Common Obstacles
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TEAM Metrics
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Brainstorming
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SMART Metrics
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Service Blueprint
2
How can I solve for root cause problems?
Tools for Eliminating Obstacles:
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5S
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Future State
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Impact-Effort Matrix
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Just Do It
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Visual Management
3
How can I manage an improvement effort and motivate a team?
Tools for Project Management:
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A3
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Change Management
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Huddle
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Rapid Improvement
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Catchball
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Data Development Plan
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Resolve Matrix
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Learning and Development Organizational Strategy Template
Identifying
obstacles
TEAM metrics are a simple way to structure measurement for literally any process by describing it in terms of time, errors, amount, and money.
Reference Guide
A Service Blueprint is a diagram that visualizes how a service works, from what the customer sees and does, to the back office processes, systems, and staff actions that make it possible.
Brainstorming is a creative problem-solving technique used to generate a large number of ideas or solutions in a short amount of time.
Reference Guide
Communication Circle is a tool that provides a visual representation of the communication flows that occur between departments , staff, and customers in a process.
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7 Common Obstacles are a version of Lean's traditional "eight wastes" adapted for the public sector context.
Reference Guide
SMART metrics helps individuals and teams create clear, focused, and achievable objectives. It’s built around five key criteria, each designed to bring clarity and structure to the goal-setting process.
ELIMINATING
obstacles
5S is a simple, structured, repeatable method for removing obstacles and keeping workspaces clean, organized,
and safe. 5S is also a form of visual management.
Reference Guide
Just Do It is a simplified approach to process improvement that enables individuals or very small groups (2-3 people) to quickly remove one or more obstacles from a process.
Reference Guide
Template
Future State Mapping provides teams or individuals with a visual representation of steps in a process after two to three months of improvements.
Reference Guide
Visual Management is any communication device used in the work environment that shows at a glance how work should be done and whether work is deviating from the standard.
Reference Guide
Impact-Effort Matrix is a decision-making tool that helps teams or individuals choose the best option based on relative impact and effort.
Reference Guide
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
A3 is a tool that both helps you structure your own thinking about how to make an improvement and communicate the purpose, research, and findings of your project to others.
Huddle is a team meeting, where the team discusses, prioritizes, and plans to execute improvement ideas that move the needle on department or team strategic goals.
Resolve Matrix is a fast, under 10 minute, activity to help an improvement team reflect on their work during an improvement project.
Change Management is the process of helping people prepare for and move through change.
Catchball Catchball is a Lean-inspired feedback technique used to share ideas, collect input, and foster collaboration on improvements.
Learning and Development Organizational Strategy Template can be used by teams to build learning programs that are not only strategic and aligned with business goals, but also sustainable.
A Rapid Improvement Event is a carefully structured, facilitated workshop that employs lean tools to guide a team to make improvements to their work process.
Data development Plan is a simple tool that can help you systematically consider how to get from an abstract goal to concrete, practical measures of your process and outcomes.