How about this for a dose of reality in the new year?
This article makes it clear how important being agile for companies in this chaotic world. I kind of wished this article would have been published a year ago.
- It gives great examples of how successful companies have looked closely at the frequency of the budgeting process, and how keeping in closer tune with the voice of the customer can result in more sales.
- The example of Office Depot selling individual sized packages instead of bulk was awesome.
- It also shows how little we really can know and predict about the future.
- The solution seems to be just-in-time decision making which lends itself to glass wall value stream level metrics…
Where Process Improvement Projects Go Wrong
- This is a very good article that compares the life-cycle of six sigma and lean improvement teams to spring metal being stretched and broken.
- It ties into the human performance model in several areas where a Director’s compensation was tied directly to six sigma team’s results.
- Interesting how focusing on successful teams (and not reporting on the failed teams) prevented the company executives from dealing with the situation earlier.
- I liked the four lessons learned, and agreed with the conclusions. Sustaining lean or any other improvement process is very difficult, but it can be done.
Sustaining Lean 