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In the late 1980’s, prior to their launch of a Six Sigma business excellence strategy, General Electric (GE) faced new and formidable challenges: globalization, increased competitiveness and customer expectations that were reaching new heights. In response, GE launched “Work-Out” – a methodology for improving business processes and driving positive change across the organizations. The success of Work-Out at GE has led to the wide adoption of versions of this employee-enabled process improvement methodology by corporations around the world.
Work-Out brings groups of employees together to meet in a problem-solving environment and reduce or eliminate anything that violates the principles of what GE had labeled the “3-S's”, Speed, Simplicity and Self-Confidence.
Stages of a Work-Out Session
Opening Session: Introduction and confirmation of team mandate
Group work: Problem identification, analysis and problem solving
Town Hall: Recommendations, approval, implementation plan, and action
The Work-Out Methodology includes the following distinct phases:
Phase 1: Planning and Design
Phase 2: Work-Out Session
Phase 3: Follow-Up
1. Planning and Design the Work-Out
The goals of the Planning & Design phase are:
- Completion and approval of Project Charter
- Establish specific and measurable goals and objectives
- Confirmation of stakeholder commitment
- Defining of roles & responsibilities
- Develop detailed project plan
- Communication plans
2. Conducting the Work-Out Session
The “basic” Work-Out model is best described as a "Problem-finding/Problem-solving" approach. E-Zsigma’s extensive work in the Lean Six Sigma field has allowed us to further refine this method to incorporate the fundamental tenets of Six Sigma problem-solving: Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control (DMAIC), which provides a repeatable and highly successful model for driving continuous improvement, while maintaining the Work-Out characteristics of nimble, high-energy, focused problem-solving.
The following chart illustrates this model:
In a facilitated, structured environment that will include team-building as well as basic Work-Out problem-solving training, the Work-Out team will identify issues, problems, as well as opportunities related to the process they are tasked to improve. Once issues have been identified and prioritized, they become the focus of intensive team problem-solving activities, which are then consolidated into a formal business process improvement plan.
The Workout Session concludes with a "Town Hall Meeting" where recommendations and action plans are shared, discussed and agreed to.
Important: With the exception of the “Kick-Off” portion of the Work-Out Session, the Project Sponsor (aka. Champion) will not participate in this Session. The Sponsor(s) re-engage with the Work-Out team at the end of the Session, where findings and recommendations are presented at the Town Hall Meeting.
The goals of the Work-Out Session phase are:
- Kickoff by Work-Out! Sponsor: Purpose, Objectives & Background
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Introduce team to Work-Out! – Agenda, methodology, tools, rules, etc
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Warm-up/Icebreaker/Team-building activity
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Problem-solving method: Divergence => Congruence
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Data gathering and analysis
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Solution identification & recommended actions (improvement plan)
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Town Hall presentation of findings and recommendations: Decision!
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Work-Out Debrief (Lessons Learned)
3. Follow-Up Activities and Actions
Follow-up is a critical element for the success of any Work-Out: “Who”, does “what”, and by “when”. The responsibility for this is typically shared and coordinated by the Sponsor, Project Leader as well as Process Owner(s). Adequate visibility and accountability for clearly-defined tasks and actions are vital for Work-Out to drive results. A facilitator may provide support by monitoring task completion on behalf of the Sponsor, Project Leader and Process Owners. Follow up goals include:
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An “Action Plan” for implementation of specific recommendations
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Monitoring and communication of implementation efforts
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Managing the change process
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Training plans and expert support for changes being initiated
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Establish process control systems (control charts, metrics, etc)
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Periodic reviews with Work-Out Sponsors
Launch your Work-Out Now!
E-Zsigma can assist you in launching your first series of Work-Outs, and within weeks, you will have rapidly developed your own central core of Work-Out facilitators who will continue to drive measurable value for your organization. For more information on launching your own Work-Out strategy, please contact e-Zsigma.
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