Untitled Document

Rapid Innovation Event Oct. 27 focused on employee-driven solutions, represents “next steps” in continued cultural shift

The Rapid Innovation Event held at Boise State University Oct. 27 showcased a commitment to a continuing cultural shift within ITD. Employees learned how to take their innovation and problem-solving skills to the next level, using scientific processes grounded in the PLAN-DO-CHECK-ACT methodology. The Rapid Innovation Event was the first step in the roadmap for continuous improvement transformation at ITD.

This initial step involves teaching people about process-improvement tools and giving them real problems to work on, with the hope that many participants would take the tools back to their workplaces and participate in local rapid-improvement events. The summit experience provided the perfect opportunity to practice constructive leadership and team skills.

Ten teams, each made up of 15 or so employees all from various levels, business units and regions, were given a large organizational problem or opportunity to evaluate and implement as much of a solution as possible within the given time and resources. In addition to summit participants, each team's roster also contained a facilitator and two champions (designated senior leadership team members). The facilitator and champions were asked to help the team move toward decisions by providing tools and introducing discussions or suggestions, but not to take control or direct the team — rather, allow the members to arrive at consensus and take appropriate “next steps.”

Watch the video .

Awards were given in each of three areas:

Problem Solving
1st Place        PC Surplus Team
2nd Place       5S - Workplace Organization for Sheds and Shops
3rd Place        Purchasing Auto Parts

Culture
1st Place        ITD Website: From Good To Great
2nd Place       DMV Cash Receipts
3rd Place        Next Steps in ITD Culture

Coaching
1st Place        Ed Bala, D5 District Engineer
2nd Place       Vince Trimboli, Communications Manager
3rd Place        Dave Tolman, Controller

Please check next week’s Transporter for a look at all 10 teams and how they worked through the assigned problems to arrive at solutions. Descriptions and much of the event material can be found on the Leadership Summit page linked from the “Innovate ITD!” SharePoint page on the Intranet Portal.