Building a problem solving organization

Building a Problem Solving Organization

Jamie FlinchbaughLean Learning Center

Introduction

Manager’s Workload

Right amount?Overloaded?Overwhelmed?

What percentage of the manager’s time is spent on problems? Those chosen Those that pop up and demand attention

How many would describe their jobs entirely as solving problems?

The 25 Problems Problem

You

Your Team

Your Team’s

Problems

Not Your Problems

Your team has 25 problems. But these are NOT your problems. Your problems are not the sum total of your direct reports’ problems. You do not have 25 problems. You have your own problems.

What are your problems?

You

Your Problems

What Problems + Barriers

Get In Their Way

Your problems are: The barriers that prevent progress Breakdowns in your systems Opportunities that enable success across the work of your direct reports

PROBLEMS

PROBLEM SOLVING

CULTURE + BEHAVIORS

PROBLEMS MGMT + SYSTEMS

PROBLEM SOLVING

METHOD + SKILLS

The Manager as System Architect

The role of the manager is not to solve all of the problems but to build the systems capable of solving problems at every level.

What capabilities do we cultivate to surface and solve problems.

• Good problem statements establish our vector for improvement

• The ability to explore current reality begins with the question of what do we need to learn more about?

• Turning the Plan – Do – Check – Act wheel as we improve through experimentation

• Tools may include A3s, DMAIC, 5 Whys and more – but how they are used matters most

PROBLEM SOLVING

METHOD + SKILLS

How do we manage the process of surfacing, engaging in, and solving problems.

• Build the work in order to make problems visible – 5S, just-in-time, kanban are all mechanisms to accomplish this objective

• A process to surface includes definition of what is a problem, how to surface it, to whom, and how they will respond

• Are we tracking the problems and the response

PROBLEMS MGMT + SYSTEMS

Surface Problems by a Process

What behaviors support a strong problem solving culture

• Do we surface problems quickly?

• Do we write down the really hard problems that we have no idea how to solve?

• Do we dig deeper and understand cause and effect?

• Do we work problems across boundaries?

PROBLEM SOLVING

CULTURE + BEHAVIORS

A Behavior Change

How it is often done How it should be done

Problem Solving Dimensions

PROBLEMS

PROBLEM SOLVING

CULTURE + BEHAVIORS

PROBLEMS MGMT + SYSTEMS

PROBLEM SOLVING

METHOD + SKILLS

Jamie Flinchbaugh, Lean Learning CenterJamie@LeanLearningCenter.com / www.LeanLearningCenter.comBlog: www.JamieFlinchbaugh.com

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