Assessment 1- The Case Study (Week 5)
This is an individual submission worth 40% of your overall grade.
Due Monday Week 5. (Maximum 4 pages)
Your Task
You will complete a Gemba Walk on a process performed at your workplace. During the Gemba Walk, you will look to identify an opportunity for Lean Transformation in that environment, specifically by identifying a Lean Waste within a specific process within your organisation.
Create a four-page (maximum) case study using knowledge you obtain from performing the Gemba Walk within your current workplace.
NOTE: Your case study will be shared with others, therefore ensure what you provide is appropriate and able to be shared. You will need to get a photo of you completing the Gemba Walk, therefore ensure you have permission to do this from the organisation. Discuss with your tutor early, if you believe you are not able to produce a case study relating to your current workplace, for example, if you are not currently working.
For more information on developing case studies:
https://venngage.com/blog/case-study-examples/#5
For more information on ‘Gemba walks’:
https://insights.btoes.com/resources/what-is-going-to-gemba-lean-kaizen-definition-introduction
HINT In the Week 1 tutorial you considered a process that you would review, and whether the scope of the process was narrow enough. The table below gives an example of feedback identifying issues with the process they chose. If you are unsure of the scope of your process, you should discuss this with your tutor early in your tutorial.
Example common feedback.
“What you have described is not a process but a number of processes.”
How to avoid the issue –
Considering the above feedback, ensure you narrow the scope down to a single process. The process should be one where ‘Lean Waste’ is associated.
Criteria and marking breakdown:
Using your knowledge of the organisation and a ‘Gemba Walk’ provide an overview of the organisation. You should include: (1.5 marks).
the name of the organisation,
what type of business the organisation performs, and
your role within the organisation.
Pre-Gemba Walk Management Meeting
Before completing the Gemba Walk you will need to talk to the manager. You should prepare a list of questions and a short script before meeting with them. During the discussion you should ask them which process they think could benefit from a lean transformation and why. You should explain to them the nature of the Assessment and seek permission from them to complete it. This should be completed in your own time (*The Gemba Walk is NOT TO BE COMPLETED during your normal shift).
a. Provide the questions and the script you developed for your meeting with the manager. (1 mark)
b. Provide a summary of information that the manager provided about the process, including the process they suggested and their reasons why. (2 marks)
Explain the process that you observed during the Gemba Walk. This should enable someone with no knowledge of the organisation or process to understand the process fully. In your response you should address the following: (3.5 marks)
What is the purpose of the process?
What is the input to the start of the process?
What is the output of the process?
Who is the customer of the process?
Is the customer internal or external?
What would be the voice of the customer about the output of the process?
What is the value the process adds to the organisation’s goals.
Make sure the scope of the process is well defined and small.
Large scopes may reflect multiple processes, and this may hinder your ability to obtain good marks.
Describe how you completed the Gemba Walk. (2 marks)
Include the following:
The location that you performed the Gemba Walk (e.g., the address of the organisation’s building you attended to complete the Gemba Walk).
When the Gemba Walk was undertaken including date and time,
How long the Gemba walk took to complete.
Who was present during the Gemba Walk.
To ensure that your Gemba Walk progresses smoothly you should use certain tools e.g., pre-prepared questions, tally sheet, safety clothing, etc. (4 marks)
Describe the tools that you used,
why you used the tools.
provide a photo of the completed tool.
Also provide a photo of you completing the Gemba Walk
NOTE a photo of you working on the process or at the organisation will not be sufficient for a photo of you performing the Gemba Walk.
Describe what insights you gained from completing the Gemba Walk (6 marks) Include the following:
What you visually observed.
What you learnt from speaking with staff working with the process (include their name and role)
Name and discuss ONE specific ‘Lean Waste’ that you identified during your Gemba Walk.
The diagram below was sourced from the following website which provides more information on Lean Wastes
https://tulip.co/blog/8-wastes-of-lean-manufacturing/
Describe the lean transformation project you will propose. (6 marks)
Your response should identify how will you remove or reduce the Lean Waste you identified.
Ensure you state key activities that will be required to implement the lean transformation project.
Ensure the actions you propose align with the concept of ‘Lean thinking’ which is described in the following quote:
“Lean thinking is used by companies who are looking to improve efficiency and eliminate wastes. The ultimate goal for Lean manufacturing is to create quality products that satisfy the customer and meet demand with as little resources as necessary.”
https://www.creativesafetysupply.com/qa/lean-manufacturing/what-is-the-goal-of-lean
Discuss and justify whether the lean transformation project that you propose should be managed as a waterfall or agile project. (2 marks)
Note: Just because this is a ‘lean transformation project’ it is not necessarily suited to an Agile project management approach.
HINT: If you can easily plan the entire lean transformation project (which in this case is the removal or reduction of the lean waste you identified), then it is more likely that an Agile project is appropriate.
Using the ADKAR model, describe how you would manage the change necessary to implement the outputs of the lean transformation project that involves the actions described in question 5. Your response must be specific to your project. (10 marks)
The following website provides further information about the ADKAR model for organisational change.
https://www.prosci.com/methodology/adkar
Your response needs to be specific to the lean transformation project you are proposing and demonstrate that you not only understand the ADKAR model but are also able to apply it to your specific case study.
Therefore, ensure you include details about your specific organisation, process etc. Responses that are general in nature or simply define the ADKAR elements will be marked down.
Case Study Presentation
Your case study must be presented professionally, including correct spelling and grammar, is a maximum of four pages, and is reflective of the examples provided in the Venngage web link on the first page of this document, (e.g., visually appealing, concise, etc.). (2 marks).
NOTE: Venngage case study templates have a cost associated if you want to use them.
You do not have to use the templates that Venngage provides, but you can if you choose to. You can develop your own design using ideas that you see in Venngage or other sites.
The idea is that the document is visually appealing and looks more like an informational case study than a word-based report. Therefore, use colours, icons, place text strategically and creatively on the page.
https://venngage.com/features/create-a-case-study
TIP: Place the information to the questions in order so that your marker does not have to go looking for the information.
Your submission can be uploaded either as a word file or a PDF file. Some students find that the formatting may shift if kept in MS Word file format.
Note that you will be marked down if your submission exceeds the page limit.
Do not include a title page as this will form part of your page limit and is wasted space.
