Phase Three: After the Workshop - Sustaining and Continuous Improvement

Following the workshop, the sustaining team will continue to drive the future state. This is the check-act part of the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle. The team meets on a weekly basis to do the following:

  • Review the status of the open action items from the project plan.
  • Review process metrics to ensure improvements are being achieved.
  • Discuss additional opportunities for improvements.
  • Continue to improve the process.

Senior management should do monthly reviews of the lean status board to evaluate metrics, open items on the project plan, and resolve any roadblocks to implementation. They should also provide recognition to the team as it achieves key milestones in implementation. This is part of the hourensou process discussed in Deeply Understanding and Reporting What You See.