Change management is a method or an approach that is generally systematic in the way it works.  Different change management approaches can be used when dealing with the transformation or transition of a business or organizations objectives, goals, processes, culture and of course technology.  It even works with behavior.  One of the main purpose of change management is simply to guide or manage the change that a company, department or individual will experience during transitions.  This can help an organization better prepare its people to adapt to the many different elements of change that will certainly come to pass.  Along with supporting transition change management can also help people to understand; the driving intentions of the organization’s change, how to take action during the change, how to manage the resilience or opposition during a change and to help others understand why people will respond differently during the different forms of change.  Below is a simple format you can follow when changing.  ©WECHANGE can be used at different levels of an organization (strategic, business, operational, departmental and individual).

1. Work with a sense of urgency and excitement.
2. Establish a "team" approach.
3. Create your vision, plan the journey.
4. Happily communicate, again and again.
5. Authorize and empower people.
6. Navigate kaizen.
7. Generate more change.
8. Engrave, educate and encourage change management in your culture.

  The name A3 is actually a reference to the size of paper the report is placed on.  This report collects all key pieces of information and allows users to review all elements of improvement events, kaizen events and initiatives on one piece of paper.  From a philosophical standpoint A3 refers to a thinking process used by many lean and six sigma practitioners for solving problems or taking advantage of opportunities.  The thought process is outlined shown on the A3 and helps users establish a standard method of thinking while indirectly creating a familiar language and method of thinking amongst people.  To learn more about A3 thinking visit a recent post in our blog Listen to the Gemba titled The Size of your brain matters not, A3 will fit!

What is your experience?

  Have you used an A3 document in an improvement event before?  If so, we would love to here what your experience was like.  

• What did you learn from using the A3 document?
• Do you still use A3's today?
• How did the A3 format transform your thinking?
• Which format of A3 did you follow (ex. DMAIC, PDCA, SOLUTIONS)?

  Share your thoughts in the comments down below.

  The Pareto Priority Index or PPI is a method of performing a cost to benefit analysis.  It is used in quantifying potential projects.  The analysis weighs the savings and probability of success against the cost and time of completion.  It is important to keep in mind that unless historical data is gathered and used the index is largely qualitative and often includes no customer input.  When prioritizing your project options it is a good idea to take into consideration customer surveys and other qualitative means before final project selections are made.

  Qualitative gives reference to the use of "qualities" rather than "quantities." Qualitative data and analysis is subjective and is used mostly in circumstances where data is not easily accessible, not relevant or simply not available for use.  Qualitative research is largely based on experience, feelings and intuition.   

  The universal product code or UPC code for short Is a type of tracking code that is printed on almost all retail products, on the packaging. There are two main parts to a UPC code; the first is a machine readable barcode which you may recognize as a set of black bars that is unique to the item it identifies. The second part of the UPC code is the 12 digit number beneath the barcode. A UPC code serves many purposes but the main purpose is to make it easier for products to be identified along with their features, brand name, type of item, color, unique features and quite possibly the size. The UPC code can be helpful in tracking inventory in Retail Stores, grocery stores, warehouses or any other organization. Organizations can apply with the global standards organization which was previously known as the uniform code council. They manage and assign the universal product codes within the United States of America. 

  To once a company has made the choice to apply for a UPC code from the global standards organization they first must pay a fee to join the GS1. Each manufacturer is assigned a six digit manufacturer identification number, which ultimately becomes the first six digits in the UPC on all of the company's products. This helps distributors, customers and other retailers identify who the manufacturer of an item is. 

  The next five numbers in a universal product code are called the item number. This number gives reference to the actual product and is unique to the product itself. Although the global standards organization does not assign this number each manufacturer is responsible for assigning item numbers to each of their products. 

  The final digit in the 12 digit universal product code is called a check code/digit. A check code multiplies different digits within the universal product code, when the UPC code is stand the check digit helps ensure the UPC is valid. If the check digit is not correct, the UPC code will not scan.