Chosen Theme: Consulting Strategies for Optimizing Operational Efficiency

Welcome! Today we dive into consulting strategies for optimizing operational efficiency—practical, human-centered methods that turn bottlenecks into breakthroughs. Explore real-world tactics, stories, and tools you can apply this quarter. Subscribe to stay ahead.

Start With a Walkthrough, Not a Spreadsheet

A plant manager once said the bottleneck was packaging. A simple gemba walk revealed idle packers waiting on upstream approvals. Observing the work in motion beats assumptions every time. What did your last walkthrough uncover?

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Make the Invisible Visible With Process Mining

Event logs from ERPs and ticketing tools reveal true process paths, not the idealized ones. Process mining exposes reroutes, loops, and delays, enabling fact-based improvement. Share if you’ve surfaced a surprising loop recently.

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Invite Stakeholders to Co-Create the Current-State Map

When finance, operations, and IT draw the map together, alignment accelerates. People defend less and discover more. Co-creation builds ownership for change, reducing resistance later. Comment with a stakeholder you’ll invite next time.

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Metrics That Matter: Designing KPIs for Flow

Balance Leading and Lagging Indicators

Throughput and cycle time lag decisions; WIP, queue length, and percent complete and accurate lead them. A blended set prevents gaming and tunnel vision. Which leading indicator most reliably predicts your delivery performance?

Build an Operational Control Room

A single, shared dashboard for flow, quality, and capacity focuses attention. Daily standups around a visual board uncover impediments early. Keep it simple, visible, and owned by teams. Would your teams adopt a daily huddle?

Set Baselines, Then Run Time-Boxed Experiments

Before changing anything, gather two weeks of baseline data. Then pilot one change, one cell, two weeks. Compare outcomes statistically. Small, disciplined experiments compound results. Tell us your most successful two-week pilot.

Lean Meets Six Sigma: Practical Waste Hunting

Overproduction, waiting, transport, overprocessing, inventory, motion, defects, and underutilized talent hide in plain sight. A 15-minute waste walk uncovers quick wins. What waste can you remove before lunch tomorrow?

Lean Meets Six Sigma: Practical Waste Hunting

Define the problem, Measure the baseline, Analyze causes, Improve with pilots, Control with standards. Simple language gets broader buy-in. Share a process you could DMAIC in the next month for measurable gains.

Change Management That Sticks

Map influence, interest, and current sentiment. Track a simple “trust battery” from 0 to 100 for key stakeholders. Target conversations where batteries run low. Which relationship needs a recharge before your next rollout?

Change Management That Sticks

A compelling change story answers why, why now, and what’s in it for each role. One client framed a backlog reduction as reclaiming evenings with family. What human benefit could power your message?

Technology as a Force Multiplier

Automate Low-Variance Tasks First

RPA shines on predictable, rule-based steps like data transfers and reconciliations. Document exceptions upfront. Automation without clarity accelerates chaos. Which repetitive task steals hours you could win back this month?

Right-Size Your ERP and Integrations

Tune what you have before replacing it. Cleaner master data, simplified workflows, and lightweight APIs often outperform big-bang rip-and-replace. Where could a small integration eliminate dual entry immediately?

Low-Code Platforms for Safe, Fast Prototyping

Empower business teams to prototype apps within guardrails. Co-design governance with IT to avoid shadow sprawl. Rapid prototypes de-risk major investments. What workflow app could you pilot in two weeks?

People, Skills, and Empowerment

Create a weekly idea forum with simple templates and fast feedback loops. Implement at least one idea per week. Momentum inspires participation. Whose idea will you implement next to boost flow?

People, Skills, and Empowerment

Skill matrices reveal coverage gaps and bottlenecks. Cross-training increases flexibility during demand spikes and vacations. Pair mentors and rotate roles. Which two roles could swap tasks for a day next week?