new skill-level icon for vs maps

Let's AddImprovement Kata Skill Level

to Value Stream MapsA proposal to the Lean communityby Rick FlemingJune 2013

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What’s the Idea?

In the last few years the Lean topic has expanded to include not only Lean tools but also an underlying Lean management process. The latter may currently be best represented by the “Toyota Kata” research and practice routines. This is a beneficial development because both technical and social elements are important for Lean transformation.

To help get the issue of skill development through deliberate practice into the minds of management, let's get it on the map

Value Stream Mapping (VSM) has become an indispensible tool in Lean deployment. Interestingly, however, VSM visualizes primarily technical issues of material & information flow. It doesn’t currently show behavioral/skill capability.

I’d like to propose that we expand the suite of VSM icons to include an indication of Improvement Kata skill level (current and future state) at the individual processes in a value stream.

Please take a look and let us know what you think…

Rick Fleming

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The Improvement Kata

The Improvement Kata is a systematic and scientific training routine that activates and mobilizes people’s creative capabilities to achieve challenging goals. It’s a means of developing solutions and meeting challenges along uncertain paths, and models the management context within which Toyota's Lean tools were intended to be applied.

The pattern of the Improvement Kata can be taught to anyone,but to learn it you have to practice it. It’s a skill you develop.

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Improvement Kata Skill LevelsThese are three well-known levels of Improvement Kata skill

that you progressively develop through practice

Can Applythe IK pattern

Can Coachthe IK pattern

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We Need a New IconHere's a proposal for an IK skill-level icon

to use on CURRENT STATE value stream maps

Can APPLY the IK pattern

Is practicing coaching the IK pattern

Is practicing applying the IK pattern

Has basic AWARENESS of the IK pattern

Unaware of the IK pattern

Can COACH the IK pattern

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We Need a New IconHere's another potential

CURRENT STATE IK skill-level icon

Can APPLY the IK pattern

Is practicing coaching the IK pattern

Is practicing applying the IK pattern

Has basic AWARENESS of the IK pattern

Unaware of the IK pattern

Can COACH the IK pattern

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Use dots to indicate the desired skill levelby the date of your future state map

For example...

Future State:Can apply the IK pattern

Current State: Has basic awareness of the IK pattern

Add Dotsfor the Future State

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Whose IK skill levelshould appear on a VS map?With regard to Improvement Kata skill level the key person is, of course, the coach. In other words, the skill level of the process owner and their coach should appear on the VS map. Typically this would be the supervisor or manager and their manager.

Process OwnerSupervisor/Manager

Process AManager

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How Would this be Used?

1. On the Current State Map include the IK skill level of supervisors/managers.

2. On the Future State Map add the dots to show the target IK skill level of process supervisors and managers as a Challenge Condition.

3. Apply the normal Improvement Kata / Coaching Kata routine -- using the 5 Questions & PDCA Cycles Record – to develop the next target skill level at each process.

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Depicting IK Skill Levelon a Current State Map

Process D Process C Process B Process A

Manager

SupervisorSupervisor

CurrentIK Skill Levels

SeniorManager

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TargetIK Skill Levels

Process D Process C Process B Process A

ChallengeCondition

Depicting IK Skill Levelon a Future State Map

Manager

SupervisorSupervisor

SeniorManager

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Time to Experiment

I urge you to experiment with adding IK skill level to your value stream maps and to report your experiences and suggestions in the following comment areas.

Give it a try and share your experiences and ideas

How to Comment:

On the LEI Kata page, click on "Post a Comment" directly under the viewer.

On SlideShare, click on the "Post Comment" button below the viewer.

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Best Wishes!

?

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I'd like to thank......Mike Rother & Bill Costantinofor their input on this SlideShare

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