DailyKaizen

As an organization we are just in the very initial stages of putting in place a Lean Management system which I have discussed in many posts over the last couple of months.  As of last week we completed our first strategy development and deployment process based on the Hoshin system.  The process took us two months and it was rich with new learnings and new behaviors.  Now that we are moving into the execution phase of our cycle it is critical that we begin the process of putting in place a linked checking process based on PDCA that needs to link all levels of the organization.  The purpose of the checking system is to ensure that at every level of the organization we are disciplined about checking our hypothesis to determine if we were correct and the plan is on target.  If we are not on plan then we will need robust processes to support putting in place adjustments (countermeasures) that will get us back on plan. 

For the first time last week I began to realize just how powerful this check/adjust system could be for the organization.  Our Sensei have repeatedly told us that the most dramatic change will come when we drive the checking process forward as an organization, but being caught up in the new way of planning I never stopped long enough to take in how big the change really is going to be.  The organization will be a very different place if we are successful in putting this new management system in.  Over time the system will move the organization:

• From unclear ownership of problems To clear lines of responsibility
• From thin knowledge required of a problem To disciplined problem solving based on facts and data
• From pushing due dates and giving up on projects To quickly implementing adjustments to ensure resolution
• From slow and inaccurate transfer or information between layers To clear standards and pathways for information to travel
• From problems being hidden To problems being visible
• From cumbersome committee structures that slow down decisions To clear standards that lead to rapid decision making
• From short-term organizational learning To long-term retention

This is just a partial list of what this new management system could do for the organization.  Even more dramatic and powerful is to think about the change in leadership that will be required in this new world.   A world where managers will be responsible for owning and making problems visible.  Where they will need to teach others to solve problems as opposed to solving them themselves.  Where deep thinking, deep understanding and hands on involvement is required to be effective. 

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