October 2018 Newsletter
Our October Status Quo Breaker is...
Gene Denny, Database System Integration Specialist on the Assessment, Data and Evaluation team, is being recognized as our October Status Quo Breaker! Gene is always looking at systems and processes and asking, “Is there a better way to do this?” He works across departments to seek understanding of what the end-user experience is and what their needs are. Gene takes initiative and brings solutions to the table. Fantastic work!
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.
Gene Denny, Database System Integration Specialist on the Assessment, Data and Evaluation team, is being recognized as our October Status Quo Breaker! Gene is always looking at systems and processes and asking, “Is there a better way to do this?” He works across departments to seek understanding of what the end-user experience is and what their needs are. Gene takes initiative and brings solutions to the table. Fantastic work!
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.
Training Dates (FIXED)
The dates Introduction to Continuous Improvement training will be offered during the 2018-2019 school year have been updated. Register for training here.
Unable to attend a classroom training? Enroll into the Leaner Everyday! Canvas course at https://dmschools.instructure.com/enroll/J9A3GC.
The dates Introduction to Continuous Improvement training will be offered during the 2018-2019 school year have been updated. Register for training here.
Unable to attend a classroom training? Enroll into the Leaner Everyday! Canvas course at https://dmschools.instructure.com/enroll/J9A3GC.
Procurement Kaizen Update
Yes, the Procurement Kaizen that began in 2015 is still ongoing. A lot of change comes at us fast and before we can even get comfortable, change happens again. But there is also change that takes time such as the change that challenges the "way we have always done it." This change is slow and worth the wait.
Earlier this month, leadership agreed to remove the administrative approval on Central Stores purchases. An order will now go from the support staff member entering it directly to Central Stores to fill. This will save on average 2-3 days per order.
Yes, the Procurement Kaizen that began in 2015 is still ongoing. A lot of change comes at us fast and before we can even get comfortable, change happens again. But there is also change that takes time such as the change that challenges the "way we have always done it." This change is slow and worth the wait.
Earlier this month, leadership agreed to remove the administrative approval on Central Stores purchases. An order will now go from the support staff member entering it directly to Central Stores to fill. This will save on average 2-3 days per order.
NEW TOOL! Mind Mapping
Mind mapping is a picturesque way to compile your ideas or concepts so you can piece them back together in a strategic way to allow you to organize and prioritize. You can use a mind map to show the interrelationships of causes to a problem, to take notes, or outlining a plan. Here is the process to create a mind map.
1. State the project or main idea in the center of a piece of paper.
2. List people or main ideas on branches coming from the central concept.
3. Draw branches out from each main person or topic identifying new responsibilities or ideas.
4. Continue to branch out as new thoughts arise that connect to the previous branch.
Mind mapping is a picturesque way to compile your ideas or concepts so you can piece them back together in a strategic way to allow you to organize and prioritize. You can use a mind map to show the interrelationships of causes to a problem, to take notes, or outlining a plan. Here is the process to create a mind map.
1. State the project or main idea in the center of a piece of paper.
2. List people or main ideas on branches coming from the central concept.
3. Draw branches out from each main person or topic identifying new responsibilities or ideas.
4. Continue to branch out as new thoughts arise that connect to the previous branch.
Shout Outs!
Way to go Vicky Bennett, Kellie Hanlon, Margi Neve and Kaitlyn Evans for having monthly process improvement brainstorming sessions!
Thank you Spring Branch ISD for sharing your master planning experience with DMPS!
Awesome work Cecila McDonald, Janiece Ochoa, Jillea Bueso, Yeymi Tobar Lopez, Eleanor Shirley, Pablo Ortego, Vinh Nguyen, Ana Miranda, Elizabeth Debruin, and Margi Neve for completing all action steps from the ELL Identification project! The new process went live October 15th!
Judi Martens, Katie Niday, Nick Lenhardt and Brett Zeller, thank you for inviting CI to your Disbursement improvement brainstorming session!
Denise Roorda, Emily Truitt, Megan Fouche, Cathy McKay, Nick Lenhardt and Brett Zeller, thank you for inviting CI to your Payroll/EIDC brainstorming session!
Thank you Spring Branch ISD for sharing your master planning experience with DMPS!
Awesome work Cecila McDonald, Janiece Ochoa, Jillea Bueso, Yeymi Tobar Lopez, Eleanor Shirley, Pablo Ortego, Vinh Nguyen, Ana Miranda, Elizabeth Debruin, and Margi Neve for completing all action steps from the ELL Identification project! The new process went live October 15th!
Judi Martens, Katie Niday, Nick Lenhardt and Brett Zeller, thank you for inviting CI to your Disbursement improvement brainstorming session!
Denise Roorda, Emily Truitt, Megan Fouche, Cathy McKay, Nick Lenhardt and Brett Zeller, thank you for inviting CI to your Payroll/EIDC brainstorming session!
