April 2019 Newsletter
Our April Status Quo Breaker is...
Kayla Pettigrew, Health and Community Programs Specialist, is being recognized as our April Status Quo Breaker! Kayla is leading the effort to organize, set up and improve communication and resources for Health Services. Along the way, she is process and technology focused to be the most efficient and effective. She has also been a key player in transitioning some Community Partner processes from manual to electronic. Keep automating away!
The Status Quo Breaker is a monthly traveling trophy recognition of an employee for their contribution to process improvement, to say thank you for being Lean and/or for helping make DMPS Leaner. Do you have someone you want to nominate for the Status Quo Breaker? Contact Emma Knapp.
Kayla Pettigrew, Health and Community Programs Specialist, is being recognized as our April Status Quo Breaker! Kayla is leading the effort to organize, set up and improve communication and resources for Health Services. Along the way, she is process and technology focused to be the most efficient and effective. She has also been a key player in transitioning some Community Partner processes from manual to electronic. Keep automating away!
The Status Quo Breaker is a monthly traveling trophy recognition of an employee for their contribution to process improvement, to say thank you for being Lean and/or for helping make DMPS Leaner. Do you have someone you want to nominate for the Status Quo Breaker? Contact Emma Knapp.
Iowa Lean Consortium's Lean Government Exchange
The ILC's 3rd Annual Lean Government Exchange will be on May 16 in Des Moines! Government and non-profit entities face unique challenges within their Lean journey so we have designed a day of learning aimed at helping you learn how to overcome those challenges. The day will begin with a keynote address from Terri Runyan, Director of Performance Excellence, City of Fort Collins. Your day of learning will continue with breakout sessions focused on three tracks - introducing, growing and sustaining continuous improvement. For additional details on the keynote, breakout sessions and how to register, please click here.
The ILC's 3rd Annual Lean Government Exchange will be on May 16 in Des Moines! Government and non-profit entities face unique challenges within their Lean journey so we have designed a day of learning aimed at helping you learn how to overcome those challenges. The day will begin with a keynote address from Terri Runyan, Director of Performance Excellence, City of Fort Collins. Your day of learning will continue with breakout sessions focused on three tracks - introducing, growing and sustaining continuous improvement. For additional details on the keynote, breakout sessions and how to register, please click here.

If... Then
If... Then, created by David P. Langford, is a projection tool used for prediction of consequences of proposed changes. It can be used when a team or individual needs to look further into the future rather than just identifying the next step, it can help everyone understand the outcomes of a proposed change, or use it to prioritize suggested improvement by studying the consequences of improvement.
To utilize the If... Then tool:
1. State the problem or opportunity in the center of the diagram
2. Brainstorm the first proposed change, "if we...." and continue to follow out the effects
3. Compare several strategies by adding a spiral for each idea
If... Then, created by David P. Langford, is a projection tool used for prediction of consequences of proposed changes. It can be used when a team or individual needs to look further into the future rather than just identifying the next step, it can help everyone understand the outcomes of a proposed change, or use it to prioritize suggested improvement by studying the consequences of improvement.
To utilize the If... Then tool:
1. State the problem or opportunity in the center of the diagram
2. Brainstorm the first proposed change, "if we...." and continue to follow out the effects
3. Compare several strategies by adding a spiral for each idea
Shout Outs!
Great work Donna Mccullough, Jean Farrington, Kris Cooper, Amy Fritz, Sharon Fuller and Debbie Swigert improving the library fees and fines process!
Thank you Carla Miller, McKenzie Kennedy, Bobbi Spear, Cyndi Bernhardt and Debbie Swigert for reviewing the increased and decreased needs process!
Thank you Judi Martens, Jessica Buchheit, Megan Fouche, Denise Roorda, and Katie Niday for reviewing the reconciliation and disbursement of payroll!
Thank you Carla Miller, McKenzie Kennedy, Bobbi Spear, Cyndi Bernhardt and Debbie Swigert for reviewing the increased and decreased needs process!
Thank you Judi Martens, Jessica Buchheit, Megan Fouche, Denise Roorda, and Katie Niday for reviewing the reconciliation and disbursement of payroll!