Continuous Improvement using Lean and Agile

Description

No process is both complete and optimal - once we master a process at one level, we see deficiencies that were previously hidden and the cycle begins again.  This course will look at general principles of continuous improvement, using Agile, Lean manufacturing and lean software development as a starting point, and some common thinking tools for problem analysis, process optimisation and waste reduction.

This course will look at how to improve any process using Lean/Agile principles and not just within software development projects. This course will also look at how Lean principles can be used to bringing Agility to the portfolio and pipeline management area.  It will also look at how to focus on 'doing the right work' and not just 'doing the work right'.
 

Target Audience
This course is appropriate for people at all levels of skill and authority across an organisation, both in business and in IT. It teachers a mindset combined with techniques and can be very useful for managers and leaders looking to build high performing teams.

Outline
Prerequisites 

Participants need to have a basic understanding of business processes, and of the principles and practices of Agile projects. For an introduction to Agile practices see our Taste of Agile course. 

Learning Outcomes
Participants will end the course with a set of skills and tools they can then apply to improving processes in their areas of responsibility.
Content 
Continuous improvement principles
  • History of Lean and Agile
  • Principles and core philosophies of ‘Kaizen’ or small continuous improvement
  • Eliminate Waste
  • Flow, Pull and Cadence
  • Amplify Learning
  • Decide as late as possible
  • Deliver as fast as possible
  • Empower the team – self organising teams
  • Build integrity in
  • See the whole. 
Tools and Techniques for implementing Continuous Improvement
  • Seeing Waste
  • Value Stream Mapping
  • Queuing Theory
  • Pull Systems 
  • Root cause analysis
  • Impact analysis
  • Wisdom of the crowd
  • Collective decision making techniques
  • Bringing in experts 
  • Focussing on risks and outcomes. 
Using the PDCA model
  • Plan, Do, Check, and Act (PDCA)
  • Effective use and detailed structure of this model.
Method Used

Lecturing is kept to the minimum necessary. A participative approach is used to enable learning by discovery, with experiential and collaborative exercises used to reinforce and embed the learning.