> Continuous Improvement Strategies

You don’t like getting checked up on.

Last updated by Jeff Hajek on September 11, 2019

Continuous improvement is built around the PDCA, or plan-do-check-act cycle. Unfortunately for many people, they are not used to the “check” step. As a result, they often feel micromanaged and untrusted when the boss comes into the area to see how things are progressing.

Problem

You don’t like getting checked up on.

How this affects you

You think that your boss shows a lack of trust when he audits your progress. Plus, it can be annoying to have to answer all those questions.

Action to Take

Familiarize yourself with the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle (sometimes called the Deming Cycle), and try not to get worked up about the “check” part. 

When you start a project, get it in your mind that someone will be coming around to follow up on changes to the process. In fact, you can even put it on your calendar, so it doesn’t seem like such a surprise when it happens. 

To ensure that the check is as painless as possible, make sure to finish any leftover assignments before their deadlines, or at least let your boss know as early as possible that you are running behind. Audits are much harder on you when you don’t give your manager fair warning about problems in advance.

Let’s say that, as a follow-up task, you were supposed to label (5S) the new shadow board (a pegboard that has outlines of the tool shapes). If that part of the project doesn’t get done and the first time your boss hears about it is on the day of an audit, you should probably expect some mild discomfort as you try to explain your role in the delay.

Unpleasantly surprising your boss is not such a great idea, especially if she has to explain to her boss why tasks were not completed. If, on the other hand, she knows a week ahead of time that your team has not gotten to a task because it was building extra products, you will likely get some support or a reprieve.

Why this works

The Why this Works section is only available in print copies of Whaddaya Mean I Gotta Be Lean?


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