Continuous Improvement Skills Training


			Continuous Improvement Skills

			Alamo's Continuous Improvement Skills is a flexible training and doing workshop for teams and individuals who need to understand the what, why, and how of continuous improvement. The program focuses on a fundamental process for identifying, analyzing, and implementing improvement, and provides a comprehensive array of tools for opportunity identification, data gathering, and solution generation. Objectives At the conclusion of this workshop, participants will be able to: Apply the principles of PDCA and the Continuous Improvement Process to structure an improvement project Analyze an improvement project and select the applicable improvement tools Collect and analyze data using improvement tools Identify and prepare for the next step of your improvement team project Outline Continuous Improvement Skills is presented in five modules: Identifying Improvement Projects, Organizing Data, Improvement Goals, Identifying Improvement Obstacles, and Continuing Improvement Process. Identifying Improvement Project – Clearly identify a project to improve the quality of some aspect of the operation. Steps include: Use brainstorming techniques to define the scope of possible improvement project opportunities Compare and prioritize issues using project analysis Analyze and flowcharting a work process Identify direct and inconspicuous categories of data for your project Identify areas in processes where more data gathering is required for project definition Organizing Data – Organize collected data into charts and graphs to summarize and make the data more meaningful to others. Steps include: Distinguish between mean, mode and median Calculate mean, mode, median and range Create check sheets Use Pareto Analysis to compare items on the basis of frequency or cost Use check sheet data to produce bar graphs, histograms, pie charts, and run charts Improvement Goals – An organized effort to set goals, measurables and objectives. Steps include: Identify characteristics of an Improvement Goal Define measures and objectives to support an Improvement Goal Identifying Improvement Obstacles – To find a quality variation’s root cause. Steps include: Create a cause and effect (fishbone) diagram Analyze scatter diagrams to determine data correlation patterns Distinguish between special and common cause Apply an understanding of brainstorming techniques to identify possible solutions Continuous Improvement Process – Using the Plan-Do-Check-Act to ensure a successful completion of the project. Steps include: Distinguish between driving and restraining forces of change Identify the force fields of your project Use the storyboard technique to document and present your improvement team’s project Identify and preparing for the next step of your improvement process Audience Continuous Improvement Skills training is ideal for any team or individual participating in the continuous improvement effort, from top management to front line employees. Because participants normally work on real improvement opportunities, it is especially valuable for improvement teams -- including cross-functional and multi-level groups. Delivery Continuous Improvement Skills is a full 2-day, hands-on workshop that can be conducted by Alamo's own facilitators. Alamo's trainers have extensive background to make best use of the principles taught. A train-the-trainer program is also available and enables you to make the skills a core element of your in-house training program. Continuing Education Units Upon successful completion of this course, students are eligible to receive Continuing Education Unit Post Workshop Coaching Alamo facilitators are available to ensure application of the skills following this workshop. Participants are encouraged to contact us with specific questions or concerns. Advanced Certification Return on your training investment by earning an advanced certification for this workshop. Provide Alamo with three specific examples of how the skills were used on the job and the results. Upon review and approval, Alamo will send you an advanced certificate.