Walking in I began my "Adventure in Lean Six Sigma" complete with a passport and Indiana Jones Theme Music playing in the background. There were boards, graphs, post-its everywhere. We were quickly "placed" into the adventure and we walked from station to station, listening to the COSC staff explaining the new program.
Processes, streamlining, eliminating waste - OH MY! I was actually quite excited walking through the fair as I felt like I was touring my mind! "What does the customer need/want?" "Are we meeting, exceeding or falling short of their expectations?" "How can we streamline the process?" "Are we getting to the right destination with this process or do we need another one?" These are the questions I ask my clients with each new project as I am hired to translate what the client does "offline" and develop this system online. It was incredible to see something similar to what I do with each new project, so professionally laid out and being implemented at the County level.
While I was impressed with the program and methodology itself, I was actually more impressed with the staff that was there presenting. It is not often that you walk into a governmental facility and hear that staff is being asked for their input to help create a new process. Usually government, and the private sector as well, has a "top down" mentality. "You are a subordinate, you do as I say." I have often told the County "just because you've been doing it this way for 30 years, doesn't mean it's right." The work that has been done already through LSS confirms that statement completely.
LSS has not only created new processes to address 21 projects, but the employees are involved in the process. They are able to take ownership in their positions, how things are done, how they can be improved, etc. Several of the employees that I spoke with had been in the COSC for decades and this was the first time that they had ever been asked for input. Their faces literally lit up when I asked questions. There was a sense of pride, increased morale, and from looking at the initial "drawing board" to the "new and improved board", waste is being eliminated and processes are being streamlined.
Although this project is only in its beginning stages, as the new processes have not been applied to the 21 projects as of yet, I am excited to see how this evolves. So with that I have to say, "Hats off to the Honorable Chad Roche". Job nicely done.
