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Recreation leaders map the new employee on-boarding process for full-time and part-time staff as a first-step to identifying opportunities for standardization.
Members of the City's Sales Tax Team work on a Fishbone Diagram to find the root cause of their problem regarding the delinquency notification process.
City Attorney's Office staff engage in a Question-Storming session during their Fall retreat.
FC Lean Toolkit
Doing process improvement in your work space?
We've created quick-guides and templates for our favorite problem solving tools for you to use when planning, executing and communicating your project.
Problem Statement Worksheet
This worksheet assists the user to craft a well written problem statement that includes data, scope, why the problem is important to solve, and the goal.
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Just Do It (JDI) Form
A Just Do It (JDI) form is a process improvement tool used for smaller-scale problems. A JDI can be
completed in less than one day, does not require a large team and yields an improvement that
can be implemented immediately.
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Process Overview Worksheet
A process overview worksheet gives a facilitator a good understanding of the current process at a high-level and it provides 2 key points of information; scope of the process and identifies potential members of the team.
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Process Improvement Form
The Process Improvement Form (PIF) is used to document process improvement initiatives. The PIF follows the Problem/Solve/Fix process improvement method, which documents the problem, the root cause, the solution, the implementation plan, and the sustain the change processes placed to mitigate the problem from reoccurring. .
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Process Mapping Guide
A Process Map provides a visual representation of every step in a process. Read linearly, squares represent individual steps, diamonds represent decisions and triangles represent waiting. Understanding the Current State of a process is one of the first steps in a Lean project.
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Spaghetti Diagram
A Spaghetti Diagram is a too used to see the flow of people, information and communication within a process.
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Fishbone Diagram
A Fishbone Diagram (also referred to as Ishakawa Diagram) is a tool used for root cause analysis. It is a way to brainstorm all potential causes of a problem.
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5 Whys
This technique prompts the user to ask why a problem has occurred, to identify the root cause of the issue. The tool digs deeper into potential causes to a problem by testing logic and illustrating that there is often more to a problem than the symptoms presented.
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Brainwriting
Based on a brainstorming method invented in the 1920s called Crawford Slop Writing, this technique enables rapid ideation during problem-solving. Brainwriting is great for larger groups and encourages participants to modify or refine the ideas of others, without losing the original idea.
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Impact-Effort Matrix (PICK Chart)
This too is used after a brainstorm to decide which of many solutions to implement. This helps a group focus on ideas that are the most manageable and have the largest impact on solving your problem.
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E.A.S.T Method
Designed by the Behavioural Insights Team (BIT), the E.A.S.T Method is a simple tool to facilitate the use of Nudge Theory in brainstorming possible solutions to policy or process problems. The process challenges you to consider Easy, Attractive, Social and Timely solutions to your problem.
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Force-Field Analysis
This tool is used to identify and analyze the risks or challenges that may occur during a process improvement project. Force-Field Analysis was created by Kurt Lewin in 1940 to demonstrate that situations are maintained when the forces driving and resisting change hold equal power.
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Failure Modes Effects Analysis (FMEA)
This tool is used to identify all possible failures that may occur in a design, process, product or service.
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Metrics
Metrics strengthen the case for why change is needed. Well defined metrics improve the quality of process
improvement projects, unite teams, drive behavior and reinforce goals. FC Lean organizes metrics into four categories:
- Time
- Errors
- Amount
- Money
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Waste
Lean thinking is rooted in respect for people. To build processes that deliver value to
our customer, we must minimize the presence of the 8 wastes in our processes. This guide provides a definition and example of each waste.
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Project Type Guide
This tool is used to evealuate the characteristics of a potential process improvement and assist employees in determining the appropriate resource and sponsorship levels. Completion of this exercise is required prior to an FC Lean project facilitation and for entry into the Lean Leaders course.
Every project is unique and requires a tailored set of continuous improvement tools needed. Once you have completed the Project Classification Worksheet, the Project Type Guide will assist in determining the appropriate resource and level of sponsorship that will enable project success.
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6S
This tool is used to eliminate waste in your workspace to enable value-added performance. By applying the 6S’ -- Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain and Safety -- you will organize, eliminate unneeded materials and enable the continued maintenance of the improved workspace.
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Process Improvement
We Don’t Make Widgets | Ken Miller
Peak Performance | Brian Elms with J.B. Wogan
The Toyota Way| Jeffery Liker
Change Management
Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard | Chip Heath and Dan Heath
Change Management: The People Side of Change | Jeffrey Hiatt and Timothy Creasey
ADKAR: A Model for Change in Business, Government and our Community | Jeffrey Hiatt
Behavioral Insights
Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth and Happiness | Richard Thaler
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us | Daniel Pink
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business | Charles Duhigg
Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action | Simon Sinek
Leadership
Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t | Simon Sinek
Boys in the Boat | Daniel James Brown
Beyond Measure | Margaret Heffernan
Good Government
For the Love of Cities | Peter Kageyama
The Solution Revolution | William Eggers
The Price of Government: Getting the Results We Need in an Age of Permanent Fiscal Crisis | Peter Hutchinson