Lean Thinking for Government: The term “lean” describes a systematic problem-solving approach that engages everyone in the organization toward creating a culture of continuous improvement. The method has been adapted from the Toyota Production System, and has enjoyed more than a half century of remarkable results. Private industry has used the principles and methods of Lean Thinking to improve performance across a wide range of industries, including service and non-manufacturing organizations.
In recent years, government offices at all levels have embraced these same techniques to achieve breakthrough results. Lean is NOT about cost-cutting or downsizing! Lean aims to improve results for all stakeholders: Citizens receive better value, government leaders are able to achieve performance goals with ever-tighter budget and other resource constraints, and employees make their work simpler, easier and more meaningful and rewarding. When lean is done right, everyone wins.
To learn more about Lean Thinking and its applications in government, go to www.mwcmc.org/LeanGovernment.
Course Objective: Improving Government with Lean Thinking will introduce participants to the key principles and tools of Lean Thinking, and help build the understanding and skills necessary to succeed with lean in a government setting. No prior experience with process improvement or lean is required.
The course is targeted to the needs of government employees who are, or will be, primarily responsible for leading government process improvement efforts, in-house consultant/facilitators, and key decision-makers. Participants are welcome from all levels and functions of government, public and private school systems, and non-profit organizations.
In this course, participants will learn:
- Core principles of Lean Thinking and continuous improvement, focusing on the needs of administrative and service processes
- Methods for mapping government processes to identify problems, root causes, and develop improvement plans
- Overview of tools and methods used to improve office processes, with case studies, exercises and examples
- “Human Side” skills and models, critical to creating lasting change through teams of people and shifting organizational culture
Course Curriculum:
Module 1 (Lean Fundamentals):
- Lean Overview with Simulation
- Administrative Process Value Stream Mapping and Project Planning
- Principles of Continuous Improvement Practice
- Systematic Problem-Solving and Principles of the Learning Organization
Module 2 (Lean Improvement Tools):
- Common Improvement Tools
- Standard Work and Trainer Skills
- Mistake-Proofing
- Pull Systems
- Cellular Production
- Kaizen and Kaizen Event Planning
- Systems Thinking, Performance Measurement, and Lean Accounting
Module 3 (Process Improvement Facilitation):
- Change and Change Leadership
- Motivation and Personal Style
- Organizational Culture and Culture Change
- Team Effectiveness and Coaching for Effectiveness
- Decision-Making and Team Dynamics
- Meeting Effectiveness and Facilitation
- Persuasive Presentations
Pricing, Schedule, and Other Program Details:
- Pricing: $1,750 per person for the full course program, $1,500 for Modules 1 and 2 only.
- Registration price includes continental breakfast and lunch for all training days. (Contact the MWCC’s Director with any special dietary requirements you may have.) Registration price also includes three bound volumes of course materials, two course textbooks, and exercises, case studies and articles.
- Improving Government with Lean Thinking will be offered in three training modules of 3 days each: August 22-24, September 5-7, and September 19-21. Availability and dates for future training sessions have not been established.
- Participation in Improving Government with Lean Thinking is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration fees can be paid at the time of registration by VISA or MasterCard, or through PayPal (we do not accept American Express at this time). Contact Teresa Raeke at traeke@choosemaryland.org or (410) 767-2372 for an email invoice or for other questions related to registration fees or other financial questions.
- All classes are hosted by the Maryland Science Center on Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Coordinating instructions for offsite parking will be provided via email to all participants.
- The primary instructors for Improving Government with Lean Thinking are Jeff Fuchs, Director, Maryland World Class Consortia, and Kelly Petrock, President, LEAD Institute and General Systems Consulting. Guest speakers and case study presenters will be invited to provide additional context and course content.
- Refunds are available until close of business 10 August, less a $150 processing fee. Refund requests made after 10 August cannot be honored. Registrations paid for a particular person are transferrable to other named individuals prior to the start of the course. However, since each training module builds successively on earlier modules, we strongly advise against substituting participants after the course begins.
- For questions relating to the Improving Government with Lean Thinking course, please contact Jeff Fuchs, Director, Maryland World Class Consortia at jfuchs@choosemaryland.org or cell (443) 865-2198 .
- Registration fee considerations may be available for some non-profit organizations. Contact the MWCC’s Director for additional information.
