tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5167539222502940808.post7843910555226054378..comments2024-03-28T03:16:54.235-04:00Comments on A Lean Journey: Guest Post: ROWE v. Lean – My Two CentsTim McMahonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07780727768370988177noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5167539222502940808.post-83693804676316377432012-03-13T10:47:33.566-04:002012-03-13T10:47:33.566-04:00I worry that ROWE could lead to the unintended con...I worry that ROWE could lead to the unintended consequences of a "whats in it for me (WIIFM)" attitude. Results are great, but if the results are continuously mediocre and there is no emphasis on improvement, any new "result" will need to be pushed down from on high. As Imai discussed in Gemba Kaizen, as worker lead kaizen activities increase, top-down governance reduces. I don't see how ROWE can increase the engagement to the benefit of the whole company rather than just the benefit to the individual.Wesley Connellhttp://www.linkedin.com/in/wesleyconnellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5167539222502940808.post-82469873197252238852012-02-29T02:22:37.230-05:002012-02-29T02:22:37.230-05:00Hi Dan,
Thanks for the comment. Yes, I am also pe...Hi Dan,<br /><br />Thanks for the comment. Yes, I am also perplexed as to how exactly we integrate improvement with work and practice yokoten within a ROWE adopting business.<br /><br />Unless I learn otherwise, I think your final sentence is spot on.Mark R. Hamelhttp://gembatales.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5167539222502940808.post-91587790591695442702012-02-29T02:14:48.982-05:002012-02-29T02:14:48.982-05:00Hi Ed,
Thanks for the very substantial comment!
...Hi Ed,<br /><br />Thanks for the very substantial comment!<br /><br />I think that you have captured some of my very concerns (and more). It will be interesting to learn how ROWE manages the all too real risks you identify above.Mark R. Hamelhttp://gembatales.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5167539222502940808.post-82299880145811758082012-02-28T23:10:46.879-05:002012-02-28T23:10:46.879-05:00I think the critical issue for the creators of ROW...I think the critical issue for the creators of ROWE to address are the larger, systemic issues that have been brought up concerning level loading and ensuring that ALL benefit, not just the individual. Certainly, it's within the realm of possibility to say that those things should be Results, too, for senior managers and leaders capable of creating that dynamic. That is fairly well aligned with Lean's principles, I think. To date, however, most of the conversation coming from the ROWE community tends to center on first-line relationships between staff and manager. Im my opinion, to truly grow and deepen the ROWE concept, an enterprise-wide description of ROWE as a system and style of management, and not simply a behavioral ideal, needs to be developed in some detail.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5167539222502940808.post-253285135562020642012-02-28T23:03:43.298-05:002012-02-28T23:03:43.298-05:00Tracy,
Please keep me in mind as you go about you...Tracy,<br /><br />Please keep me in mind as you go about your ROWE experience. I'd love to hear about your first-hand experiences.<br /><br />Thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5167539222502940808.post-7663375818635847922012-02-28T22:03:03.068-05:002012-02-28T22:03:03.068-05:00Mark,
Very thoughtful piece. My biggest concern i...Mark,<br /><br />Very thoughtful piece. My biggest concern involves standardized work and spreading of those best practices. If everyone is working in different locations, at different times, and in different manners, how can you create standardized work and reduce variability? ROWE doesn't make it impossible, but it sure doesn't make it easy.Dan Markovitzhttp://www.timebackmanagement.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5167539222502940808.post-79697927081045313152012-02-28T19:12:55.460-05:002012-02-28T19:12:55.460-05:00Mark,
When I read your blog post, the first thing ...Mark,<br />When I read your blog post, the first thing that cropped into my mind was "piecework". ROWE from the outside looking in may sound like a good idea, but I think at the end of the day what you really end up with are a few rock stars who deliver fantastic results - but at what expense? The motivation and mindset for how to approach work becomes "how much I can get done in as little time as possible, and reap the highest benefits (or best visibility)". I think it tears at the fabric of teamwork, standardization becomes difficult to manage, and sustainment nearly impossible. <br />Think about (as a manager or supervisor) trying to manage an organization and work-life balance to deliver consistent results and demonstrate improvement in waste? <br />Think of ROWE in the context of a shipping department at a manufacturing plant - "hey, we hit the numbers for the month!!" (Sales and customer service nearly break their arms with their self-congratulatory back-slapping). Nevermind that you shipped 85% of volume and $$ in the last 5 days!! What was the total cost of sales to deliver those goods? How many OT hours did the warehousing staff have to put in? How much extra logistics and shipping costs did you incur to achieve those Results (Only)? <br />One question that should be asked is, "Who is at the end of that whip?" <br />How many hours do the customers of that data, information, or output from people who are using the ROWE philosophy have to put in to meet the end customers expectations?<br />The first tenet of TPS the way I understand and try to teach/coach Lean is, "Respect for Humanity". In my humble understanding, this means all employees, not just the choice few who can luxuriate themselves with "free love" work hours as long as the results are in!!<br />The ideal state is to create a better process for all.. Think of how much waste could be taken out of a process if only 1/4 of the "free love" time were spent on process improvement? Maybe everybody at company X would enjoy the weekend????Ed Beranhttp://www.linkedin.com/pub/ed-beran/6/9b9/a7bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5167539222502940808.post-76744730480212989892012-02-28T16:08:35.267-05:002012-02-28T16:08:35.267-05:00Hi Tracy,
Thanks for the comment. I'd love to...Hi Tracy,<br /><br />Thanks for the comment. I'd love to gain some insight into how you and your organization are going to integrate lean and ROWE. <br /><br />I really appreciate your offer to correspond. Expect an email.<br /><br />Best regards,<br />Mark HamelMark R. Hamelhttp://gembatales.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5167539222502940808.post-30132975320143135112012-02-28T11:13:30.857-05:002012-02-28T11:13:30.857-05:00I work at a small healthcare system that uses lean...I work at a small healthcare system that uses lean as its continuous improvement methodology and we are gearing up to transition our first pilot group to ROWE. We will primarily be focused on transitioning our hospital and clinic billing office personnel to a ROWE. You make some great points about the need for standardization and continuous improvement and I look forward to ensuring that those elements are part of our future state. Email me if you want to discuss further - tracylhanson@gmail.comtracyhansonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13893138156057290395noreply@blogger.com