|
Operational Improvement Process
Productivity Assessment
The first stage of our program begins with the Productivity Assessment of the
entire organization. During the assessment, Capitol Consulting, LLC will review
the past and current performance of the operation with regard to labor and
volume. During the assessment, select studies will be developed from various
areas to evaluate the existing level of proactive management. During this time,
we determine what expectations are placed on the front-line manager and what
levels of accountability exist.
A typical study during the Productivity Assessment will relate the labor cost
to the volume and compare to the established targets. Although it is
unrealistic to expect the frontline manager to staff exactly to the volume on a
daily basis, with timely information and proactive management, variance gaps
can be compressed. Compressing these gaps leads to decreased cost. In addition,
during times of increased volume, flattening the variances and matching staff
to the volume will oftentimes achieve higher quality and service.
At the conclusion of the Productivity Assessment, conservative savings
estimates will be generated to outline the potential savings and return on
investment. Upon completion, the results will be communicated to administration
for the next step, generating appropriate targets. This information coupled
with the institution’s cost reduction goals, will be the basis for the Target
Generation stage.
Return to Top
Target Generation
In the second stage, Target Generation, administration, finance, and Capitol
Consulting, LLC work closely to establish reasonable yet desired productivity
targets. The targets include hours and cost per unit of service, volume, and
other pertinent goals such as overtime and non-productive percentages. If a
cost reduction is not desired and the Operational Improvement Program is being
used for management development and training, the existing budget targets are
used. These targets are the driving force of the Operational Improvement
Program and will be the foundation of the program. The next step is to
communicate these expectations and targets to the next level.
Return to Top
Communication Campaign
The third stage of our program is the Communication Campaign. This stage is a
crucial element of the Operational Improvement Program. At this point,
administration communicates the overall plan and purpose of the Operational
Improvement Program. In addition, each director and/or manager will be given
their specific productivity targets. Communication of clear expectations to the
front line is critical for this program to excel. Once communicated, the
manager needs the training and tools to meet the expectations.
Return to Top
Boot Camp for Managers
It is not enough to communicate to your managers that they will need to change
their methods of management to meet new expectations. In the fourth stage, Boot
Camp for Managers, the manager will be given a complete overview of proactive
management and the available tools to implement change.
In Boot Camp, we coordinate a comprehensive interactive session to
provide each manager a re-training of the existing management tools and the
innovative principles of proactive management. In addition, support areas such
as Finance, Materials Management, Decision Support, and Human Resources will
present various reports and available services.
During the proactive management section of Boot Camp for Managers,
Capitol Consulting, LLC directs a management development class aimed at
training the frontline manager to become an internal consultant. We start with
a discussion centered on the reasons for low productivity. After covering these
widespread symptoms of low productivity, we investigate the corresponding
remedies. While relating these ideas and solutions to their specific
departments, the managers reveal their existing barriers to optimal
productivity. At this point, we are identifying the key limiting barriers for
each manager to overcome.
Experiences from management consulting and leadership roles since
1991 have been documented in a collection of case studies presenting common
causes of workflow barriers leading to deficiencies in productivity and cost.
During Boot Camp, we discuss these topics and how they relate to everyday life.
In addition, each manager goes through a self evaluation to assess their
current abilities to plan and execute meaningful change.
These innovative principles and creative management techniques not
only are necessary to make the changes, but they create the environment of
continuous improvement. This leads to the fifth stage of the program, which is
the Implementation.
Return to Top
Implementation
In the fifth stage, Implementation, we initiate the targets and expectations
with the use of various management tools and one on one coaching. In this
environment, each manager is routinely planning and following up the workload
on a daily, weekly, and bi-weekly basis. By doing this, expense fluctuations
and premium spending are reduced, thereby enabling lower costs. We don’t just
talk about implementation and the need to execute, we do it.
Return to Top
Follow Through
In the final stage, Follow Through, we bring the entire program together to
meet the desired expectations. By uniting management’s expectations, Boot Camp
for Managers, and daily proactive management through the use of assorted
management tools, the managers are able to achieve and surpass the desired
targets. This stage stresses involvement, implementation and information.
During this time, Capitol Consulting, LLC works closely with the
directors and managers to implement creative strategies to bring the department
to target. Our interaction is characterized as a facilitator and continues for
the remainder of the engagement.
Although Capitol Consulting, LLC has a specified time period for the
engagement, the Follow Through stage is perpetual and strives for continuous
improvement while enhancing the ability to make appropriate changes in the
future. The result is a more efficient organization with a frontline management
team acting as business partners.
Return to Top
|