Discussions **Zeek the Geek**

LA 8-1: Explain 3 learning insights you gained from your Final Assignment that you might take into your career.

Discussion Response 1:

For my final assignment, I have actually tried to implement the business improvement initiative in my own organization and failed miserable. After taking this class and retrying it (through paper) I definitely learned a thing or two.

First, in any process improvement initiative it is important to meet with key stakeholders. The first time I tried implementing it, I just worked amongst my office which was the office setting the regulations. You can probably assume this was my first mistake. I don't feel like the information we put out was beneficial, or that people even needed or wanted. The information was never even put out past our LT, so it ended up being a big waste of time.

Another thing you realize throughout the class that its a lot more work than one expects. The final project calls for an initial flow chart, project charter, another flow chart. It's a lot of work. You have to make sure you have the right team that is motivated and actually wants to make the process better. Therefore you can ensure that quality work is being put out.

Timing is also an important factor. You have to give people deadlines and ensure that they are meeting them. Creating weekly meetings to update the staff and ensure people have completed their taskings is extremely beneficial. You have to remember that this is an additional duty for a lot of people so work can pile up fast. Or some days can be busier than others which puts them behind with the process improvement.

Discussion Response 2:

My assignment was in real time. When we first started the class I remember reading somewhere that you will be able to apply items learned immediately. Although I had a hard time understanding some of them I decided to “fix” a process that I was having trouble with at work; now.

Insights:

· Creating the flowchart (though time-consuming) it allowed me to see on paper/computer what steps I did automatically that may need to be adjusted. It’s like writing a “how to”, when writing it you realize there are a lot of steps that combine into one or we do them without thinking about it. Those may be the ones that are the actual problem.

· Implementation was an adjustment. Honestly, I still have not implemented all of the “good stuff” I figured out. Partly because I am doing my own kind of study and only a few of my co-workers are cooperating. Also, sometimes I get lazy and just do things the old way.

· In week 3 we watched a video about “scope creeps”. The lady in the video accidentally used a play on words about the people (stakeholders, customers, employees) who essentially sabotage the process that is trying to be made. Early on when I decided to tackle a particular issue at work, I initially told those individuals less about what I planned to do than the others. It proved to work in my favor.