Implementation
Implementation of solutions depends on their complexity and whether all the issues are under the direct control of the business area. Solutions can be implemented in one of 3 ways:
- Just Do Its
- High Impact Events (also known as the Kaizen-Blitz approach)
- Projects
Comparing Types of Improvement Implementation:
|
|
Just Do Its (JDI’s) |
High Impact Events (HIE’s) |
Projects |
|
Issue |
A problem which is evident but where the cause is not understood, e.g. a single instance of a service failure or plant breakdown. |
A problem which is evident but is seen as complex to solve. Or where the problems are not evident, An HIE can diagnose the problems and identify potential solutions. |
A complex problem where the cause may not be known and the solution is not yet identified. |
|
Size of Team |
2-6 people |
2-8 people |
A core team of 2-4 people, supplemented by specialists as required. |
|
Duration |
2 hours to 1 day |
3 days to 5 days |
1 to 3 months |
|
Cost (in addition to the cost of the people) |
Usually nothing |
Usually nothing, but occasionally requires a few £K of investment |
Often nothing but sometimes requires significant investment |
|
Benefits: Financial |
£1,000 to £10,000 (may be one-off or recurring savings) |
£10,000 to £100,000 as a one-off or recurring saving |
£100,000 upwards as a one-off or recurring saving |
|
Benefits: Recurrence of Issue? |
Solution in place to prevent repetition |
Solution in place to prevent recurrence of the problem |
Solution in place to prevent recurrence of the problem |
|
Benefits: Capability |
Improved skills in the JDI team Increased ownership by the Team of the issue and its solution. |
Improved skills in the HIE Team Increased ownership by the Team of the issue and its solution. |
Improved skills in the Project Team Increased ownership by the Team of the issue and its solution. |
|
Benefits: potential for Re-use |
Solution probably specific but may be transferrable. |
Solution may be valuable to other business areas. |
Solution may be valuable to other business areas. |
NOTES:
- High Impact Events and Projects often span more than one business area and Change Management is an important element in the success. Thus engagement by Sponsors and key stakeholders is particularly important.
- To maintain momentum in a project, it is best to manage the project as several High Impact Events e.g. design the solution, trial the solution in a limited way, then implement in full.
- Similarly, if the scale of the project means it must take more than 3 months, it is usually best to re-define it as a programme containing several projects that each last no longer than 3 months.
- High Impact Events are also known as Kaizen-Blitz in some sectors.
High Impact Events
High Impact Events can be applied to single issues or applied several times over, firstly to identify root causes of the issues, and then to implement several improvements:
The next stage is to ensure these benefits are sustained. See the section on Sustaining the Gains.