Purpose – Why is problem solving so important?
Download the top section of the 8 Step Practical Problem Solving Teach Poster to review the “Purpose, Process & People” Sections.
Each visual from the Teach Poster will be covered in more detail in the below sections.
Problem Solving & the Lean Transformation Framework
Lean Thinking & Practice Starts with question 1 from the Lean Transformation Frame Work
What’s Your Value Driven Purpose?
What situational problems are you trying to solve?
Key questions you need to answer for your situation:
Have you made the purpose or mission clear to everyone?
Does everyone know their value to create?
Does each person know their specific, situational problem to solve?
Examples of “problems to solve” that are connected to achieving an organisation’s Value Drive Purpose
“Offer Shortest Customer Key to Key time in Car Dealerships…” – Toyotoshi Canada
“Answer Zara challenge by reducing lead time from 48 days to 10 days…” Zara Clothes Factory
“Redefine publishing in face of Amazon and the whole digital revolution…” Hachette Book Group
“Reshore Production ….” GE Appliances Factory, Louisville, KY USA
“Create flow while providing variety…” Toyota Japan
“Take ½ second out of my 17 second cycle time of work…” Team Member Herman Miller
Asking and clarifying “what is the problem to solve” should be clear BEFORE you:
- Start any improvement to the work.
- Develop people to improve the work.
- Lead people to make improvements.
Everyone should be able understand what “problems they need to solve” and how it’s connected to the value driven purpose of your organisation.
Watch the Teach Point Video On Problem Solving Purpose
Watch Video in full screen mode when possible
Key Learning Points – Purpose
Problems are Good!
Having no problem is the biggest problem of all !
Taiichi Ohno
Once you know you have a problem you can do something about it.
We should see problems as opportunities for improvement, not hide them.
Remain Competitive
Grow the Organisation
Solving problems helps us to be better which helps us to grow and will keep us competitive in our value driven purpose
Develops the people
Teaching/Coaching and using problem solving skills needs to be everyone’s role not just for specialists. Helping people solve problems supports employee engagement.
Develops the organisation
A learning organisation will grow and deliver business results faster, better and cheaper than others.
Now move onto the next Topic.