Lean Practitioner Support
Everything you need to successfully complete your Certification
How to be Successful
- Complete the required workshops
- Attend the Learning to Solve Problems online Project Coaching
- Pass the online test after each workshop
- Complete 1 Lean Application Project
Manager’s Guide
The Manager’s Guide outlines how leaders can support team members so they complete the certification as well as reinforce the learnings and behavior long after the training is complete.
ONline Account
Use your account to take tests, track progress, and access tools and templates. If you already had a login, we have not changed it. Your default username is your email and default passwords are 123456.
Test
All tests are “Open Book,” so you may use materials and notes from workshops.
- On your Account Home page scroll down to Tests
- Click on the appropriate test
- If you have issues, contact Sue Moldenhauer at suem@mfrall.com
Project
Applicants must demonstrate their ability to apply techniques learned and show at least one (1) positive measurable result. If you have questions contact Jeremy Blake or schedule coaching using the calendar below. jeremyb@mfrall.com
Project Pre-Work
Select your project topic prior to attending the Learning to Solve Problems group coaching. Select a problem you would like to solve, not a “task” you need to complete. Some questions to ask when identifying a project topic are:
- What is stressing you out each day?
- What gets in the way of you getting other tasks done?
- What workarounds are you doing?
- What metrics are off track?
- What wastes are you observing? (The 8 Wastes)
11 Project Requirements
1: PROJECT INTRODUCTION/TITLE/SIGNATURE
- Company name
- Applicant’s name and title
- Project name
- Team participants’ names/titles
- Company business description – 100 word max.
- Company sign-offs: names of applicant’s manager
2: PROBLEM STATEMENT
Define the problem without providing solutions or root cause speculation. What is the gap? What process isn’t working? Why is it worth the time and resources to solve this problem?
You will craft your problem statement during the Learning to Solve Problems Group Coaching. Your Problem Statement must be reviewed and approved by the Manufacturers Alliance Leadership & Development Coach before you can move forward with your project.
“Writing Problem Statements” eCoaching:
3: PROJECT TIMELINE
What needs to be done, by whom and by when to meet project objectives and timeline
Resource:
4: CURRENT STATE
Describe current conditions, starting point, etc. include quantifiable measurements
- Describe the starting point or current condition
- Challenges anticipated
Resources:
5: GOALS
6: MAJOR PROJECT ACTIVITIES & CHALLENGES
- What took place? By whom?
- What barriers or challenges did the team face?
- How were they overcome?
Resources:
- Reference your Workshop Workbooks
- Project Task Timeline
7: LIST WORKSHOP SKILLS, TOOLS, & TECHNIQUES USED
- Reference your Workshop workbooks
8: RESULTS & FINAL CONDITIONS
- What were the results compared to the goals?
- What was the after effect of the project?
- TBD should not be used to show results
- Avoid words like improved, implemented, updated, enhanced, increased etc. without a concrete measurable unit
“Results Vs. Actions” eCoaching:
9: SUSTAINMENT
- Think about this during the project
- How it will be perpetuated or maintained without your involvement?
- Who owns the process?
- Aim for more than “auditing” for sustainment
10: CONCLUSION/LESSONS LEARNED
- What was learned?
- Challenges? How were they addressed
- How it can be leveraged elsewhere
- Suggestions for further improvements
- Conclusions & Lessons Learned
11: APPENDICES
Supporting photos, notes, graphics or data charts. For example:
- Peer surveys
- Meeting notes/manager’s comments
- Charts of metrics: quality, engagement or financial trends
- Standard work, procedure updates
Project Evaluation Process
Submit your project using your account and allow up to 5 business days for the review to be complete. The project reviewer’s criteria is:
- Was the project signed off as credible by the applicant’s manager?
- Is the project in an acceptable format with all requirements met?
- Does the project demonstrate the applicant’s effective application of skills?
- Is the applicant reaching the stated objectives to solve the problem and sustain results?
Successful submission is followed by:
- A letter of completion with comments
- Updated online records on Manufacturers Alliance website
- A certificate of completion
- Unsuccessful projects will be returned for improvement and re-submission