Lean Sigma as a Component of Major Project Part 8
The focus of the Lean Sigma part of the major project for this class is the gap between the “current” and “desired” innovation process within the organization you chose. For example, many organizations’ current innovation processes might be described as informal or decentralized. However, innovative organizations may have (or desire) a formal collaboration process designed to vet ideas and transform visions into realities.
Apply Lean Sigma methodologies to the innovation process within the organization you selected for the semester. If your organization has a well-defined, mature innovation process and you wish to analyze a process other than your organization’s innovation process, you may do so by providing justification in your project scope.
Improvement Methodology
For this application, start by analyzing the current state of General Electric Company’s innovation process, then formulate plans for implementing a desired state. This will typically involve the following steps:
Select a process for observation (the innovation process within your organization) and describe it via a project scope statement. Where does the process begin and end?
Observe the innovation process (if possible) and develop a value stream map that shows the process steps.
Create a data-collection tool and collect data (time, cost, etc.) to complete the value stream map.
Identify barriers to overcome and opportunities for process improvement, so that you can create and complete an A3 Problem-Solving form (with the left side representing the current state and the right side representing the desired state).
On the left side of the A3 form, include
the target process,
background information,
the current condition, and
a problem analysis.
On the right side of the A3 form, include
the future state,
countermeasures,
a project plan
a cost/benefit analysis,
testing procedures, and
follow-up.
For the purposes of this assignment, refer to the following A3 methodology website, where you can download an A3 Report Form template
https://www.montana.edu/dsobek/a3/report.html
You can see how to fill the template on this link and fill the attached A3 template below.
In order to comply with applicable confidentiality agreements, you may sanitize names and data to what you are comfortable sharing in completing this assignment as long as it meets the needs of the project. Please contact your course instructor should you have any questions.
Submit Assignment
Your assignment submission should include the following:
1) A project scope statement addressing your organization’s current innovation process (1 page max)
2) A completed A3 Problem Solving Form ( attached)
3) A Statement or Summary of Lessons Learned (1 page max)
