Subject: Spring Continuous Improvement Welcome Newsletter!
From: "Wisconsin DOA Strategic Management & Planning" <[email-masked]>
To: [email-masked]
Date: Wed, 08 May 2024 14:04:04 +0000

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Continuous Improvement Newsletter Header
Welcome!

Welcome to our Continuous Improvement (CI) Newsletter, where we celebrate the power of collective innovation and progress. At its core, CI is not just a methodology but a mindset that grows on the belief that everyone within an organization can contribute to making things better. Though there are various methods of CI, the basic concept is simple; anyone can improve their work environment. One simple methodology that can help start a project is the PDS/CA (Plan, Do, Study/Check, Act) Model. A helpful video briefly explaining the PDS/CA Model [ https://ess.wi.gov/psc/ess/EXTERNAL/HRMS/s/WEBLIB_WI_CS.ISCRIPT1.FieldFormula.Iscript_CSLogin_Default?DestURL=%252fDeepLink%252fProcessRedirect.aspx%253fmodule%253dlaunchtraining%2526lo%253dcc033d5a-d2a7-4353-9909-886fc30853b8 ] can be found on Leader. This is just one example that highlights how anyone can embrace the CI culture of improvement. From streamlining processes to enhancing productivity, the possibilities are endless when we harness the creativity and expertise of every individual.

Thank you for joining us on this journey, and let's remember that CI is not a destination but a continuous pursuit. Within that pursuit, this quarterly Newsletter aims to inspire and support you on your CI journey. We hope to inspire you by sharing CI Project Highlights around the state, and support CI efforts through the sharing and identification of resources. Let this newsletter be your first step of many, as you explore our Belt Training Certifications, join our CI Community of Practice (COP), and learn about the numerous resources the state offers!

CI Project Quadrant 

The Project Quadrant, courtesy of DCF, is an example of the different methodologies of CI. Visit the state CI website [ https://improvement.wi.gov/Pages/Resources/EducationalResources.aspx ] for more insight into the methods of CI. 

 

 

Project Highlights

 

 

Continuous Improvement Group Work 
DATCP Improves Licensing Process 

In Wisconsin, licensure is required for the use or sale of restricted-use pesticides and for individuals and businesses commercially applying pesticides for hire. The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) processes more than 11,000 applications in a given year. DATCP is required to respond to applications within 30 business days of receiving paperwork. To ensure this requirement is met and to improve this process for internal and external stakeholders, staff leveraged Microsoft CRM’s available tools, updated mailing procedures, and shifted task prioritization. DATCP has now decreased the process lead time by more than 16 business days and gained additional benefits including repurposed staff hours, reduced mailing costs, and eliminated process steps.

 

 

DCF Transforms Accounts Payable 

Since 2015, the Accounts Payable (AP) system within the Department of Children and Families (DCF) has remained unchanged. However, in a transformative initiative spearheaded by the Bureau of Finance (BoF), the AP process is undergoing a comprehensive overhaul. Confronted with challenges stemming from manual submissions and processing bottlenecks, BoF swiftly embraced CI methodologies, employing tools such as process mapping and waste identification.

The implementation of a user-friendly webform aims not only to standardize but also to streamline AP requests. With an objective of reducing processing time by 70%, stay tuned for the widespread adoption across the department by Summer 2024. This project showcases the remarkable impact of CI in elevating organizational processes.

 

Department of Transportation (DOT): Bridge Design Streamline

Wisconsin has over 14,000 bridges, with more than 5,000 state bridges and another 9,000 local bridges. Seeking ways to become more efficient in the delivery of the local bridge program, the Division of Transportation System Development (DTSD) reviewed the bridge design process.

DTSD discussed a plan to streamline the process by creating a tool that would perform the routine design and drafting portions of the work that require minimal effort to finalize standard bridge plans by the designer. Learn more about how DTSD repurposed more than $150,000 in bridge design costs to construction using their Standard Bridge Tool [ https://wisconsindot.gov/Documents/about-wisdot/performance/2023CI-DTSD.pdf ].

 

Subscribe to the Continuous Improvement Newsletter [ https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WIGOV/subscriber/new?topic_id=WIGOV_185 ] 

 

CI Tool Spotlight

Knowing where to start and which tools to utilize can be one of the trickiest aspects of continuous improvement to understand. During the Summer CI Newsletter, we will spotlight a new CI toolkit, where the most beneficial CI tools, used in the state, will be identified.

While you wait, check out the CI Resource Center below and start identifying simple improvements within your work environment!

Continuous Improvement Gears  

Upcoming Trainings

White Belt Trainings

  * June 12th, 9 am-12 pm  
  * Hill Farms Building 

  * September 25th, 9 am-12 pm 
  * DOA Building  

  * November 6th, 9 am-12 pm 
  * Virtual 

Yellow Belt Trainings

  * Start the Yellow Belt Modules [ https://ess.wi.gov/psc/ess/EXTERNAL/HRMS/s/WEBLIB_WI_CS.ISCRIPT1.FieldFormula.Iscript_CSLogin_Default?DestURL=%252fDeepLink%252fProcessRedirect.aspx%253fmodule%253dlodetails%2526lo%253d6bca9e9c-cb46-4033-99d4-1f39ce9b467a ]  [ https://widoa.csod.com/ui/lms-learning-details/app/curriculum/06746118-8204-4df6-a05a-147183f4f7f7 ] 
  * Found on Leader 

  * August 7th, 8:30 am-4:30 pm 
  * Virtual 

  * November 6th, 8:30 am-4:30 pm 
  * TBD 

 

Click to learn more about Continuous Improvement Community of Practice (CI COP) [ https://improvement.wi.gov/Pages/GetInvolved/CoP.aspx ]

 

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 ]

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Continuous Improvement Helping One Another Up Stairs 

 

 

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