Uncommon Sense - Tools to Improve your Work Forever

Beyond its value as a statistical tool, the Control Chart is a symbol of excellence in operational efficiency and quality management that has shaped the world of Continuous Improvement.

As we celebrate 100 years of Control Charts, PMI Director Consultant Dennis Crommentuijn-Marsh explores the history of Shewhart’s enduring legacy and gift to quality. 

Here are some more resources that you may find interesting:

• On Demand Webinar: Understanding Performance Using Control Charts 
• Blog: 5 Challenges of Embedding Control Charts in Daily Process Management 
• On Demand Training: Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt

More from PMI:

• Dive into our Knowledge Hub for more tools, videos, and infographics
• Join us for a PMI LIVE Webinar
• Follow us on LinkedIn

Take your improvement career to the next level with PMI's Lean Six Sigma Certifications - now available in two new and accessible formats, built around you. 

• Explore On Demand >>
• Explore Distance Learning >>

Effective leaders recognise that their organisation's ability to improve is fundamentally based upon its ability to learn. 

In this thought-provoking episode of Uncommon Sense, we delve into the transformative role leaders play in empowering teams to apply knowledge consciously, as PMI Director Consultant Warren Knight explains the changes you’ll need to make to transform learning from conceptual theory to embedded knowledge.

Here are some more resources on this topic:

• Blog: Learn Knowingly 
• On Demand Webinar: Celebrating Success, Learning from Failure 
• Blog: I Didn’t Tell You Because You Didn’t Ask! 

More from PMI:

• Dive into our Knowledge Hub for more tools, videos, and infographics
• Join us for a PMI LIVE Webinar
• Follow us on LinkedIn

Take your improvement career to the next level with PMI's Lean Six Sigma Certifications - now available in two new and accessible formats, built around you. 

• Explore On Demand >>
• Explore Distance Learning >>

Process Operators are not just cogs in the machine.  They’re the heartbeat of an organisation; executing core processes and directly influencing the value delivered to customers.   Their work is vital, and as such, it demands a focus on standardisation, maintenance, and Continuous Improvement. 

Join PMI Senior Consultant Damion Albinson as he discusses the role of the Process Operator, including why it’s crucial that they’re engaged in standardisation and improvement activities, and the challenges of operators preferring to do things their own way.

Here are some more resources on this topic:

• Podcast: Mastering Process Management  
• Infographic: Key Roles in Process Management and Improvement 
• On Demand Webinar: Every Day Tools for Daily Process Improvement 

More from PMI:

• Dive into our Knowledge Hub for more tools, videos, and infographics
• Join us for a PMI LIVE Webinar
• Follow us on LinkedIn

Take your improvement career to the next level with PMI's Lean Six Sigma Certifications - now available in two new and accessible formats, built around you. 

• Explore On Demand >>
• Explore Distance Learning >>

Variation represents chaos and unpredictability.  So in our business systems, which require consistency and repeatability to enable improvement, the concept of variation and its impact on performance is crucial for our Leaders to grasp.

Packed with eye-opening analogies, Director Consultant Warren Knight explains the complexities of variation, the significance of control charts and the long-term view, and why tampering with the system without understanding the root causes of variation is a no-go.

Here are some additional resources that you may find interesting:

• Podcast: Systems Thinking from a Leadership Perspective 
• Video: Control Charts in Action 
• Blog: 5 Things Every Leadership Team Should Know 

More from PMI:

• Dive into our Knowledge Hub for more tools, videos, and infographics
• Join us for a PMI LIVE Webinar
• Follow us on LinkedIn

Take your improvement career to the next level with PMI's Lean Six Sigma Certifications - now available in two new and accessible formats, built around you. 

• Explore On Demand >>
• Explore Distance Learning >>

Managing processes is as vital as managing people for keeping the gears of performance well-oiled and aligned with organisational goals. 

Join PMI Senior Consultant Damion Albinson as he peels back the layers of effective process management and explores the iterative cycle of Standardise, Maintain, and Improve, and how mastering this triad can elevate your entire operation.

Here are some related resources that you may find interesting:

• Podcast: Navigating Process Management Roles 
• Video: Everyday Improvement Using Standardise, Maintain, Improve 
• Blog: 5 Challenges of Embedding Control Charts in Daily Process Management 

More from PMI:

• Dive into our Knowledge Hub for more tools, videos, and infographics
• Join us for a PMI LIVE Webinar
• Follow us on LinkedIn

Take your improvement career to the next level with PMI's Lean Six Sigma Certifications - now available in two new and accessible formats, built around you. 

• Explore On Demand >>
• Explore Distance Learning >>

Imagine your organisation as an orchestra, where each section must play in harmony to create a beautiful symphony. This is the crux of Systems Thinking in leadership.

Packed with thought-provoking examples and practical tips, this unmissable episode with PMI Director Consultant Warren Knight highlights the transformative potential of a Systems Thinking approach from your leadership team.

Here are some related resources that you may be interested in: 

• Blog: Why Self-Help Books Are Not for Me 
• On-Demand Webinar: Systems Thinking in Leadership 
• Podcast: Rising to Business Challenges with Improvement Strategist Estelle Clark 
• Blog: 5 Things Every Leadership Team Should Know 

More from PMI:

• Dive into our Knowledge Hub for more tools, videos, and infographics
• Join us for a PMI LIVE Webinar
• Follow us on LinkedIn

Take your improvement career to the next level with PMI's Lean Six Sigma Certifications - now available in two new and accessible formats, built around you. 

• Explore On Demand >>
• Explore Distance Learning >>

Successful process management requires a shift in mindset where everyone is empowered to think of their organisation as a collection of interconnected processes rather than isolated departments or functions.  By embracing this process thinking approach and clearly defining process management roles, you can achieve greater efficiency, better customer satisfaction, and ultimately, improved performance.

Join PMI Senior Consultant Damion Albinson as he talks about the concept of process thinking and the responsibilities of System Owners, Process Owners, Process Managers, and Process Operators in delivering improvement.  Remember, the journey to excellence is continuous and starts with a single step – adopting a process-oriented mindset.

 Here are some related resources that you may be interested in:

• Improvement Toolbox – Roles in Process Management 
• Infographic – Aligning Business and Process Roles 
• On Demand Webinar – Transform Your Operations Incrementally

More from PMI:

• Dive into our Knowledge Hub for more tools, videos, and infographics
• Join us for a PMI LIVE Webinar
• Follow us on LinkedIn

Take your improvement career to the next level with PMI's Lean Six Sigma Certifications - now available in two new and accessible formats, built around you. 

• Explore On Demand >>
• Explore Distance Learning >>

We’re seeing a growing recognition of the power of reflection in today’s fast-paced world, where the delivery of improved performance through every project is more crucial than ever. 

Join PMI Director Consultant Sean Buckland for a timely reminder of the power of Retrospectives in helping Lean Six Sigma improvement teams overcome project challenges earlier and achieve better results.

Here are some related resources that you may be interested in:

• On-Demand Webinar: Agile Improvement - Myth or Magic?  
• Podcast: Key Steps to Project Planning 
• On-Demand Webinar: PDSA your Work, your Project, your Programme  

More from PMI:

• Dive into our Knowledge Hub for more tools, videos, and infographics
• Join us for a PMI LIVE Webinar
• Follow us on LinkedIn

Take your improvement career to the next level with PMI's Lean Six Sigma Certifications - now available in two new and accessible formats, built around you. 

• Explore On Demand >>
• Explore Distance Learning >>

Whatever kind of change project you're working on, a good relationship with your sponsor is essential, but it isn’t necessarily easy.

PMI Director Consultant Sean Buckland is an expert on the practical aspects of working with project sponsors, so join us for an episode packed with insider tips on how to enable your sponsor to confidently address challenges and prioritise the needs of your project.

Are you looking for more support on working successfully with your sponsor?  Check out these additional resources:

• Podcast: How to Get The Best Out Of Your Sponsor 
• Video: The Role of the Sponsor in Successful Performance Improvement 
• On-Demand Webinar: When Projects Don't Go Right

More from PMI:

• Dive into our Knowledge Hub for more tools, videos, and infographics
• Join us for a PMI LIVE Webinar
• Follow us on LinkedIn

Take your improvement career to the next level with PMI's Lean Six Sigma Certifications - now available in two new and accessible formats, built around you. 

• Explore On Demand >>
• Explore Distance Learning >>

Is your demand unpredictable and difficult to forecast?  You can reduce this challenge and improve your business efficiency by implementing a level scheduling system. 

Mastered by automotive giant Toyota, Heijunka is a Japanese term for ‘level’ or ‘flat’.  It’s about having complete visibility of the system and synchronizing the supply chain for a smooth flow of customer orders.  Join PMI Director Consultant Barry Byrne as he delves into the art of Heijunka and confesses that monotony is liberating when it comes to scheduling!

Here are some related resources that you may find interesting:

• Video: Value Stream Mapping 
• On-Demand Webinar: Managing Uneven Demand
• Podcast: How SMED Can Improve Setup Times

More from PMI:

• Dive into our Knowledge Hub for more tools, videos, and infographics
• Join us for a PMI LIVE Webinar
• Follow us on LinkedIn

Take your improvement career to the next level with PMI's Lean Six Sigma Certifications - now available in two new and accessible formats, built around you. 

• Explore On Demand >>
• Explore Distance Learning >>