Subject: Fall 2025 Continuous Improvement Newsletter
From: Wisconsin DOA Strategic Management & Planning <[email-masked]>
To: [email-masked]
Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2025 14:01:56 +0000

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Fall 2025 

 

Finding Data in the Pudding

Book and Improvement Consultation - Click Or Scan QR Code 

The saying goes, "“the proof of the pudding is in the eating”, "meaning you have to test something to know it’s been a success. The same holds true for continuous improvement: our results tell the story.

There are two key components to that phrase that align closely with CI methodology:* testing a new solution and measuring that solution’s success.* While we’ve yet to report on a project that improved a pudding recipe, be it a classic dessert or a Scottish haggis, every project reported this year demonstrates the State of Wisconsin’s commitment to innovative solutions for long-standing challenges. The proof lies in the measurable impacts, from improved customer satisfaction to dollars saved.

Across these projects and throughout the enterprise, teams are finding creative new solutions, through technology, to bring improvements to life and track their success. From automating workflows with Power Automate and collecting data through Microsoft Forms, to building dashboards in Power BI that monitor metrics over time, teams are proving their efforts make a measurable difference. Teams are embedding improvements into everyday processes and visualizing the positive impact. 

If you’re looking to showcase or track your own project data, consider exploring Power BI or Tableau, if you have access. Otherwise, Excel is a great resource for data management. Start by watching this ten-minute Master Data Analysis [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g5roKHj95o ] video, found on YouTube, and find how Excel can support your teams.

??Learn more about the origins of "the proof of the pudding" [ https://secure-web.cisco.com/1tgmGEPTSRO8pQqAt9sFHC43u6-Y69dAaK-x91JqI0bipN4bj3xRgCz6wHBdgqsptXGVEokOYisrG1rStDXmKxZqgaPOiT_EhV_fTYPGw_M8AreNcrCwMosXip0rayqKa9OLjEBH11i3nzACMWBSaj9BG3o5Nxk2O0jaTsbP06krk_TzVHX-8vGMqBGNwA4fK8UfFNdT1hwpGnVshdzlqeYTTDTZdXyTWLmo8LBkpesxGSzti6n-uFMovYVVfWhIZiAUNeC6df4UfR55l3vxPuaB5_ptzcNVxgjtwlMAM3sbkysEBFV5_AYLOgNteSvP9/https%3A%2F%2Fenglishstudyonline.org%2Fthe-proof-is-in-the-pudding-meaning%2F ].

 

 

Celebrate our Success: FY25 Program Report

Reporting Graphic 

In other news, our *FY25 Program Report* has been finalized! This year, we celebrate:

  * An *80% increase in agencies reporting* improvement projects 
  * A *130% increase in newsletter subscribers* 
  * *Exponential growth* in total annual savings, reaching over *$1.6 million* 

As we look ahead, FY26 will focus on expanding our reach and measurable impact even further. We’re planning to increase the number of projects reported and introduce a new training, award program, and forum event. In other words, we’ll have "a lot of pudding to test" in the coming year.

?? *Read the FY25 Program Report* [ https://improvement.wi.gov/Pages/Program-Reports.aspx ] for the full story and results.

 

 

Project Highlights

 

 

Power Automate 
ECB: Power Automate in Action 

The Educational Communications Board (ECB), an independent state agency, had long relied on email for workflow approvals, including travel expense reimbursements, p-card expense reporting, purchase order requests, travel and training requests, p-card limit requests, and invoice payment requests. The process required multiple approvers to email and notify the next person in line. It was cumbersome and disorganized: approval requests often got buried in staff inboxes, and there was no automated way to audit past approvals or track requests in progress.

Recognizing the inefficiency, ECB accountant Natalia Sutyagina, who was responsible for routing, tracking, and auditing these workflows, sought a better solution. She implemented Microsoft Power Automate to streamline transaction approvals. Using Power Automate’s low-code workflow capabilities, ECB integrated approvals into existing Microsoft tools, including SharePoint, Teams, Excel, and Outlook, creating a uniform and efficient process.

The new system provides a consistent, well-organized, filing structure within the agency. Supporting documents are now easily accessible for audit purposes, and staff have a centralized location to initiate and approve multiple types of transactions. The result is a more transparent, trackable, and efficient approval process that saves time and reduces errors.

For those interested in learning more about Power Automate, check out this Power Automate Tutorial on YouTube [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUsik0FGzI0 ] to get started with building your own automated workflows.

ECB  

 

DATCP Savings 
DATCP: Utilizing DocuPost

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Division of Animal Health has field staff located across the state. These field staff have to send postal mail about 40 times each month. Sending paper mail, especially certified mail, was inefficient. Field staff were required to print the document, stuff the envelope, fill out the certified mail receipt form, drive to post office, wait in line, render payment, scan the receipt, reconcile their purchasing card, and receive, scan, and upload proof of service. This process also forced field staff to maintain an inventory of stamps, printer ink, envelopes, and paper.

DATCP identified an opportunity for improvement by utilizing DocuPost. This technology solution allows field staff to send both regular and certified mail via the U.S. Postal Service fully online, including digital return receipts and proof of delivery. The documents are now physically sent from secure direct mail services contracted with DocuPost. Field staff no longer have to print anything, fill out a certified mail form or return receipt, drive to post office, or render payment. DocuPost is easy to use, allowing field staff to upload their document, choose their services, choose their recipients, and monitor the mailing.

Congratulations to the Division of Animal Health on identifying this solution and making this improvement!

CI CoP [ https://improvement.wi.gov/Pages/GetInvolved/CoP.aspx ]  

 

DOR Receives National Recognition

The Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) recently received national industry recognition for its “Transforming Contact Center Operations [ https://secure-web.cisco.com/18eKZYqs9aEaovBwfxTxayJdDSsTSiUgQG1V-naA5jiWfy25xjPG-QdMy7TThqJ4qXhtQXbgxLpmqKOciAYRJp055QVs_Ywa43Z7Kw3iQRz3_ARpnpPD1hVux3awyxfz_sespGLQLx3PAlttZiHVaq1A6GLrr78bG9Eb4pTclRx3L9dcVs5BxFvnhuV7QVJlblFnxVmbKz7zCWFI3JUtzOz78vW8PryGWytQjAjwVs4VwJ6G0onsKNf47MkbV3H_RpTvGz2b1UBn7CM8VeMEQwxl3NyIfTdiJKnTQg8u_BvBCAaJ32SZeKHxmkVyaimuU/https%3A%2F%2Finsider.govtech.com%2Fcalifornia%2Fsponsored%2Ftransforming-contact-center-operations ]” project, and for good reason. Through a combination of stewardship and innovation, DOR revamped its contact-center infrastructure, cutting out duplicate systems and eliminating costly downtime. The result: an astonishing *66 % cost reduction* and *zero outage hours* since implementation.

 

Upcoming Training

Yellow Belt Trainings

  * February 17, 2026 
  * Virtual 

  * May 19, 2026 
  * Virtual 

"Begin the Yellow Belt Certificate Curriculum [ https://ess.wi.gov/psc/ess/EXTERNAL/HRMS/s/WEBLIB_WI_CS.ISCRIPT1.FieldFormula.Iscript_CSLogin_Default?DestURL=/ui/lms-learner-search/search?query=YELLOWBELT ] and complete the modules before attending one of the instructor-led classes".

 

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CI Resource Center

Agency CI Contacts [ https://improvement.wi.gov/Pages/Resources/AgencyRepresentatives.aspx ]

  
CI Project Forms [ https://improvement.wi.gov/Pages/GetInvolved/ProjectForms.aspx ]

  
Improvement Templates [ https://improvement.wi.gov/Pages/Resources/Templates.aspx ]

 

Continuous Improvement Helping One Another Up Stairs 

 

 

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*STATE OF WISCONSIN*

*DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION*

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