Industry Best Practices versus “That’s the way we always did it” are always a challenge. But the reason you have a team involved is there is a problem. Why limit your results to copying?
First step is not coming up with possible fixes. Research and deeply understand the issues facing your coworkers. The symptoms are not the cause. Often the people doing the daily work have the best insights. What they see and hear often identifies where the process is failing. Be sure you have deep understanding.
People often jumps to the wrong conclusion. Told by senior manager, “Your department is delivering orders late. What is wrong with the shop?” Company delivered finished products in 5 days, knew the shop is well organized. Asked the line manager, “We are getting the orders late on days 4 and 5.” Led to investigating and fixing the order entry process.
Second come up with alternative solutions. The more ideas you incubate the better. Don’t be critical. “What If …” questions are great here. There are no bad ideas at this point. Bend, break or connect different idea. Try the opposite “What is the worst thing we could do?” Don’t limit creativity. Good ideas come from everyone.
When you rank ideas or have the light bulb moment, time to execute and verify the solution. Often solutions have to intenerate or be redesigned to get the desired outcome. Follow up to get it right.
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