Lean Roundup #114 – November 2018

A selection of highlighted blog posts from Lean bloggers from the month of November, 2018.  You can also view the previous monthly Lean Roundups here.

Five Questions to Reflect on Both Process and Results of Problem Solving – Jon Miller shares five questions to ask when evaluating both the process and on the positive outcomes of our problem solving efforts.

A Reader Question about Process Behavior Charts and Business Metrics – Mark Graban answers should we be using financial statements in that way or is there a better approach given our knowledge about different types of variation?

Where Problem-Solving Goes Wrong: Helping People Learn A3 Thinking – Gregg Stocker shares areas in a problem-solving effort where coaching is needed to truly solve problem.

Lean Football – Bob Emiliani shares example of Lean football to dramatize the effect that Lean transformation has on the vested interests of owners and other stakeholders of any manufacturing or service business.

…but where is the problem solving?  - Mark Rosenthal explains that problem solving is not about some specific tool or template.

Sometimes People ARE the Problem – Jeff Hajek discusses the difficulties of processes versus the skills and capabilities of employees running those processes.

Change Management – Post Change Evaluation and Action – John Hunter explains why changes shouldn’t be adopted without any process to evaluate the effectiveness of the change.

How does Lean Thinking Help Us to Prepare for the Unpredictable? – Jon Miller says some things are unpredictable because of their nature and other things because predictable human behaviors make them so.

How Standard Should Standard Improvement Boards Be? – Joseph E. Swartz shares a model of maturity for improvement boards and explain the journey to the highest level.

Thinking About the Why of the What of Problem-Solving – John Shook discusses Art Smalley’s new book “The Fourt Types of Problems.”

Can Lean Succeed in a Strong Labor Environment? – Art Byrne says Lean is all about people, treat people like people not union members and you will greatly increase your chances of success.

First, You’ve Got to Show That You Care – Dan Markovitz shares a story about why you have to show you care first if you want engagement.

Divide and Conquer Creates Need for Management Control – Johanna Rothman explains why divide and conquer causes less learning opportunities and lack of collaboration in product development.