Ideas - Continuing to Success

So, you have the idea - what you do now? An idea adds value when it is implemented. That is why I hold all rewards for ideas until after they are implemented. If you have an idea and have taken the time to write it down, now we move to the validation step. To be valid an idea must improved SQDC (see previous post for description of SQDC). If the idea is valid then you immediately move to implementation. If there is any question as to if the idea is valid just ask a fellow team member or your supervisor. It is in these discussions that the idea may be refined. For example, I might have the idea to purchase a small ladder to help me reach a shelf. A team mate may recommend a step stool because it is less expensive and lighter. Another team member may recommend building a small platform or cutting the legs down on the shelf. All three achieve the goal of helping me reach the shelf, we must just decide which to implement. I try to respect the original idea of the person as much as possible.

Once the idea is validated, then you move to implementation. Ideas that meet the low cost/no cost rule can hopefully be implemented quickly. Less than two weeks is quickly for most organizations. There are 3 key things to define in the implementation plan - who is going to do what and when. That way, when no progress is being made on the idea, you know who to go ask. Follow up on the implementation on the defined commitment dates to keep the idea on track. My experience has been that someone will stop writing up ideas if they are waiting on older ideas to be implemented.

I have seen teams implement ideas at the rate of one idea per person per week. It should be easy to sustain one idea per person per month. Think about that, for an organization with 100 employees this means 1200 ideas could be implemented a year. Wow! This level of improvement will quickly result in significant operating improvements. Remember, to be valid an idea must improve SQDC.