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Views from P Squared Training and Development
"Training" - the transfer of knowledge around new process improvement tools
and skills
The first day and a half of the training takes place in a traditional classroom setting with maximum participant involvement. Participants report higher team effectiveness and much improved meeting skills. This segment of the training integrates a process improvement (PI) model with a problem solving model, applying specific process improvement tools as appropriate.
Scott Playfair, President of P Squared Consulting,
reviews the agenda and ground rules for the 3 day session.
One aspect of effective team-based process improvement training is the last ground rule - "HAVE FUN". It is a proven fact that people learn more when they are enjoying the learning experience.
Feedback from some of the participants:
"The power of synergy within a team was proven. Our team consisted of a diverse group with different points of view - but we really became a highly functional team."
To ensure in-depth understanding of process improvement tools, students are assigned to teach each other how to use the tools.
They are encouraged to apply the tool to an example from their own working environment, thus driving home their understanding of its usefulness. This has the side benefit of developing in-house knowledge.
"Everyone, from top to bottom, now has a common language and tool set to improve their own processes."
Participants learn effective team meeting skills including leading the team and facilitating the discussion.
"Development" - the utilization of newly trained skills for positive behavior change by solving "The Case Study"
The second one and a half days of the training gives participants a "hands-on" case study to solve as a team. This forces participants to immediately use the tools and skills they have just been taught in a non-threatening setting.
The course facilitator for the training acts as the coach for the case study and does not let participants fail. Rather they are guided to success via well-timed coaching. The experience is made enjoyable because participants become fully engaged as they exchange the leader, facilitator, and member roles. Additionally the coach creates a memorable learning experience by role playing various case characters that provide key information and data.
The character "Reginald Pert", Director of IT, introduces himself to the team. "Reggie", as he is affectionately called, provides the team much of the data needed to solve the case.
"I believe the people in this class with me could do anything together as a team and succeed. That's the true meaning of synergy."
Negotiating at every spare moment, "Lance Savvy", NW Regional Sales Manager, gives the team insight into the customer base and where the "big bucks" are made. He's a busy guy, stopping in just before a game of client golf.
"The case enhanced my understanding of process improvement by 100%. It was based on practical, common sense experience."
The team learns solid interviewing techniques for visitors who have the data they need. It's just a matter of figuring out how to get it.
"This stuff really works! We proved it!."
The character "Jim Bob", Production Worker, helps the team map out, or flowchart, the work process accurately.
"I have so many ideas on how I can apply this to help me in my job."
Just back from Mardi Gras, Reggie makes sure the team understands the value of the data he provides by calculating a charge.
"When I was told to attend, I thought this was going to be another boring class. It turned out to be anything but that! I would recommend this to anyone that really wants to understand and apply continuous process improvement."
When asked to help the team identify the root cause of a production problem, Jim Bob suggests "Road Kill Helper" for consideration.
"The case study was critical to help me understand the application of the tools for any use - at work and in my personal life."
Recommending his assistance, "Sonny G", Production Supervisor, offers to take care of the person responsible for the problem.
"The P Squared material now plays a vital role in my job responsibilities - it gave me some awesome tools that I can use to tackle different tasks."
Jeff "Cool" Breeze, Equipment Operator, shows off his virtual hardhat while explaining that the equipment he operates may have paranormal problems.
"It is great to get to the real root cause of problems that have been around forever. We can fix them once and for all."
One key learning for the team is that getting information really costs the company money. Careful not to overspend the team's budget, the designated accountant keeps the team frugal with their "purchases".
"The P Squared methods promote measurement - how can you improve anything if you don't measure by gathering good data? (In God we trust, all others bring data.)"
On the wall behind the attendees, significant progress has been made using the data Reggie provides and the "company employees" interviewed.
Although the day and a half is quite intense, the participants are totally engaged and enjoy the experience. They learn skills that will stay with them for a lifetime.
"This was the most useful training our employees have ever received; more importantly, my people commented that they could not wait to get started improving their processes."
A very valuable tool - "Thumbs" - gives the leader a quick understanding of where the team stands when consensus decisions are being made.
"Our internal communications have been greatly enhanced. We can more easily identify problems and opportunities for improvement without turf issues."
At the close of another successful session, Reggie gives one last "thumbs up" for a memorable learning experience!
The team is still smiling at the experience - they had fun but truly came together as a high performing work team during the 3 days.
They are totally prepared to go back to work and use their new skills immediately.
"I've never learned so much and had so much fun at the same time. This has been a life changing experience! The 3 days just flew by."
Participants leave the training with significantly increased confidence in their ability to improve processes and solve problems through the use of the simple process improvement tools. Without exception, they claim that if they can solve the case study using the tools, they can successfully address any workplace process improvement issue.
This case study is the true power of the three day course. It generates confidence in all participants that they can return to their work environments and run effective team meetings, improve processes, and solve problems in a highly effective manner.
The first day and a half of the training takes place in a traditional classroom setting with maximum participant involvement. Participants report higher team effectiveness and much improved meeting skills. This segment of the training integrates a process improvement (PI) model with a problem solving model, applying specific process improvement tools as appropriate.
Scott Playfair, President of P Squared Consulting,
reviews the agenda and ground rules for the 3 day session.
One aspect of effective team-based process improvement training is the last ground rule - "HAVE FUN". It is a proven fact that people learn more when they are enjoying the learning experience.
Feedback from some of the participants:
"The power of synergy within a team was proven. Our team consisted of a diverse group with different points of view - but we really became a highly functional team."
To ensure in-depth understanding of process improvement tools, students are assigned to teach each other how to use the tools.
They are encouraged to apply the tool to an example from their own working environment, thus driving home their understanding of its usefulness. This has the side benefit of developing in-house knowledge.
"Everyone, from top to bottom, now has a common language and tool set to improve their own processes."
Participants learn effective team meeting skills including leading the team and facilitating the discussion.
"Development" - the utilization of newly trained skills for positive behavior change by solving "The Case Study"
The second one and a half days of the training gives participants a "hands-on" case study to solve as a team. This forces participants to immediately use the tools and skills they have just been taught in a non-threatening setting.
The course facilitator for the training acts as the coach for the case study and does not let participants fail. Rather they are guided to success via well-timed coaching. The experience is made enjoyable because participants become fully engaged as they exchange the leader, facilitator, and member roles. Additionally the coach creates a memorable learning experience by role playing various case characters that provide key information and data.
The character "Reginald Pert", Director of IT, introduces himself to the team. "Reggie", as he is affectionately called, provides the team much of the data needed to solve the case.
"I believe the people in this class with me could do anything together as a team and succeed. That's the true meaning of synergy."
Negotiating at every spare moment, "Lance Savvy", NW Regional Sales Manager, gives the team insight into the customer base and where the "big bucks" are made. He's a busy guy, stopping in just before a game of client golf.
"The case enhanced my understanding of process improvement by 100%. It was based on practical, common sense experience."
The team learns solid interviewing techniques for visitors who have the data they need. It's just a matter of figuring out how to get it.
"This stuff really works! We proved it!."
The character "Jim Bob", Production Worker, helps the team map out, or flowchart, the work process accurately.
"I have so many ideas on how I can apply this to help me in my job."
Just back from Mardi Gras, Reggie makes sure the team understands the value of the data he provides by calculating a charge.
"When I was told to attend, I thought this was going to be another boring class. It turned out to be anything but that! I would recommend this to anyone that really wants to understand and apply continuous process improvement."
When asked to help the team identify the root cause of a production problem, Jim Bob suggests "Road Kill Helper" for consideration.
"The case study was critical to help me understand the application of the tools for any use - at work and in my personal life."
Recommending his assistance, "Sonny G", Production Supervisor, offers to take care of the person responsible for the problem.
"The P Squared material now plays a vital role in my job responsibilities - it gave me some awesome tools that I can use to tackle different tasks."
Jeff "Cool" Breeze, Equipment Operator, shows off his virtual hardhat while explaining that the equipment he operates may have paranormal problems.
"It is great to get to the real root cause of problems that have been around forever. We can fix them once and for all."
One key learning for the team is that getting information really costs the company money. Careful not to overspend the team's budget, the designated accountant keeps the team frugal with their "purchases".
"The P Squared methods promote measurement - how can you improve anything if you don't measure by gathering good data? (In God we trust, all others bring data.)"
On the wall behind the attendees, significant progress has been made using the data Reggie provides and the "company employees" interviewed.
Although the day and a half is quite intense, the participants are totally engaged and enjoy the experience. They learn skills that will stay with them for a lifetime.
"This was the most useful training our employees have ever received; more importantly, my people commented that they could not wait to get started improving their processes."
A very valuable tool - "Thumbs" - gives the leader a quick understanding of where the team stands when consensus decisions are being made.
"Our internal communications have been greatly enhanced. We can more easily identify problems and opportunities for improvement without turf issues."
At the close of another successful session, Reggie gives one last "thumbs up" for a memorable learning experience!
The team is still smiling at the experience - they had fun but truly came together as a high performing work team during the 3 days.
They are totally prepared to go back to work and use their new skills immediately.
"I've never learned so much and had so much fun at the same time. This has been a life changing experience! The 3 days just flew by."
Participants leave the training with significantly increased confidence in their ability to improve processes and solve problems through the use of the simple process improvement tools. Without exception, they claim that if they can solve the case study using the tools, they can successfully address any workplace process improvement issue.
This case study is the true power of the three day course. It generates confidence in all participants that they can return to their work environments and run effective team meetings, improve processes, and solve problems in a highly effective manner.