Entropy Busters® Series

1. Do you ever start the day with a plan, and before you know it? "Poof", the plans have vanished?  It feels as though the day is managing you, rather than you managing the day.  This is entropy at work.
2. How many times have you been involved in fixing a problem at work; whether it's a manufacturing line quality check, (the operator stopped doing their 1^st piece inspection and sign-off) or a supply chain process (the person responsible, stopped following up on purchase order acknowledgements)?  As soon as we move on to the next problem and stop following up, the process ceases.  It may break.  Something changes and the team does not know how to fix it or course correct.  Again, this is entropy at work. 
3. During football games, how many times is the quarterback sacked or hurried?  The higher the number, the less fundamentals are in place.  If the fundamentals of an offensive front line are in place, the quarterback has the necessary time to complete the game plan.  Consider the quarterback sacks as errors impacting the customer: a line shut down or a visible quality issue.  When the quarterback hurries, this is the same as rework within your processes, that the customer never sees, but impacts total cost. 
4. Not having the basics and fundamentals in place is a result of allowing entropy to creep into the process.

• Sustain Phase I.  Not as easy as it sounds.
• Visual Daily Management. Start getting every part of a daily cadence for the critical KPI's.  These are the production meetings, supply chain status meetings, etc.
  • Get everyone on the same page. What needs to be done right now to make the next 24 to 48 hours successful?  Get everyone focused on the same goal.
• Establish GEMBA. As a team, go see the work area and where value is created. Observe the actual flow and environment as the work is being done.  Work with the team solving any problems and opportunities.
• Establish cadence for tactical and strategic.  Have the mornings set aside for tactical and afternoons for long term solutions.  Teams need the time and structure to be successful.

• Sustain Phase I and II
• Team Building. Team members want to be part of something bigger and better.
  • Instill a learning mindset: Educate the team.
  • Recognize the team for good and unfavorable results.  Emphasize, "red" is good.
    • Establish friendly team rivalries.
  • Make communication meetings enjoyable.
    • Recognize birthdays with a lunch or dinner.  Then allow the team members to openly ask questions.
    • Have quarterly reviews, and recognize the team with the best results for the prior quarter. (Be certain everyone is evaluated on the same KPIs)
• Give everyone a role.  By giving everyone a role, you build inclusion and make everyone part of the solution.  You will be amazed how many hidden geniuses there are and how those once castaway by the organization gain a new lease on life.
• Add more intricate levels for data integrity and process timing. The Red/Green KPI.
• Sustain.
  
   

1. Don't think this applies to your business or enterprise? (Write three to four reasons why it might not.)
2. This is a new idea and strategy, it's something we need to work toward. (Brainstorm the first steps.)
3. We can do better, modify our strategy, and now we are moving in the right direction.  (What are the next steps to insure success?)
4. Our team gets the necessary time to keep their minds fresh and we have plans to live our dreams. (Comment on how you're ready.)
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Entropy Busters®

Stop letting the process manage you! Become the champion of your game plan and achieve sustainable profits.