By this time, most of us have already broken the New Year resolutions that we have made. Whether or not this has been your case, let me propose a “better-late-than-never” resolution that can make all the difference in your own career:
Seek out one of your internal “Information Customers,” someone who depends on the information you create, whatever it is. Ask them how well the information meets their needs to perform their work properly the first time. Is it complete? Is it accurate? Is it timely? Is it presented clearly and understandably?
If it does not meet their needs completely, analyze the root cause. Hint, ask “Why?” five times to get back to the root cause. Then analyze and improve the process causing the missed requirement in a way to prevent future recurrences.
Having done this, you will probably have “delighted” your Customer, encouraging them to do the same.
PS: Document the impacts of the improvement in terms of saved time and materials and other costs of “information scrap and rework” you will have accomplished.
This is how you can change your company forever, one improvement at a time.
What do you think? Let me hear from you about your experience.
