CI Roadshows 2024 - building a culture of Continuous Improvement
The CI Roadshows were a testament to the growing enthusiasm for fostering a culture of Continuous Improvement (CI) at Oxford. Attendees were able to network with peers and discover more about the CI tools and resources available to them
This year’s Continuous Improvement (CI) Roadshows were a hive of activity, brimming with energy and opportunities to learn. Following a programme designed to fit into our busy diaries, the Focus team delivered an engaging showcase, highlighting excellent examples of CI projects being implemented at the University, while providing a vibrant space that fostered collaboration and learning.
Colleagues were welcomed to the roadshows with words from Mark McDermott, Chief Operating Officer, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS), Co-sponsor of the CI Community of Practice and Chair of the Medical Sciences Division CI Hub. Mark reflected on how the culture for CI has changed in the last few years:
We have CI Local Practitioners, trained in the CI arts, present all over the institution. The lively CI Community of Practice (CoP) is one of largest CoPs in the University with 558 active members (as of 18 June). The Focus team has supported many departments with new processes, and have led University-wide service reviews, achieving real change.
Continuous Improvement at Oxford
At the CI showcase, attendees had the opportunity to talk with some CI Associate Practitioners and other colleagues who are driving valuable CI projects across the wider University. They also discovered opportunities to develop their skills in CI further like the CI Training for Teams, the CI Learning Pathway eLearning course, and the CI Local Practitioner Development Programme.
Sarah Doolan, Head of Continuous Improvement, Focus programme highlighted the benefits of CI tools during the Headington CI Roadshow:
It can be hard to take time away from busy day jobs, but the rewards are worth it! For example, Ying Hung, BioEscalator, applied some CI tools like process mapping and ESCAR, and combined them process automation (with the support of the Workflow and Automation Competency Centre) reducing the time to register new companies from 45 days to less than 21 days.
As a testament on how CI can be fun, a new addition for 2024 was the introduction of some CI games. The four games were a hit with colleagues who uncovered their competitive side alongside learning CI tools in a fun and memorable way. Colleagues practiced their process improvement skills using plastic bricks by playing ‘Perfect the Process Brick by Brick’ - the leader board was so impressive! ‘Spot the difference’ was also a popular game that illustrated the power of standard operating procedures (SOPs) by drawing an animal.
You can still give two of the games a go!
- What’s the waste? Test your skills at identifying different types of process waste based on the 8 wastes (TIM WOODS) tool
- Sort it! Test and verify the impact of creating organised and clean workspaces based on the 6S tool
Putting CI into practice
The roadshows also featured three optional workshops which focused on tools to support colleagues in enhancing efficiency in daily work. The workshops were well-received, with participants expressing high satisfaction and enthusiasm for the practical tools and techniques they learned. The workshop topics were:
- Process Mapping introduced participants to the power of process mapping, a set of easy-to-use methods that help visualise the links between steps in any process.
- Effective Meetings allowed attendees to explore the POST tool, learning how it can aid in planning and conducting more effective meetings.
- Staying Connected demonstrated the Daily Update tool, highlighting its use in keeping teams informed, connected, and on track.
This was one of the best pitched events I've attended for professional development at the University. I got a lot out of it! The process mapping activity was spot on, expanded on what I already knew and made me really think carefully about how I could use it in my setting.
CI Roadshow 2024 attendee
Collaborating with and learning from others
Colleagues also had the opportunity to engage with representatives of the teams that are working daily to ensure there are opportunities, tools and resources available to improve our work lives: People and Organisational Development and its professional communities, Professional Services Together, and the Workflow and Automation Competency Centre (WACC). The latter also ran a game to show the importance of optimising a process before automating it. The game involved sorting balls into size order using bamboo sticks and a box. Intrigued? Look out for future CI events!
Ultimately, the CI Roadshows 2024 provided a dynamic environment for collaboration, learning, and discovering inspiring CI stories across the University. Thank you to everyone who attended, we are looking forward to hearing your stories of using CI at Oxford!
If you want to stay connected, please consider joining the CI Community of Practice, if you’re not already a member!
