OS/OW Lean Team Honored by Commission
Dennis Van Patter, Office of Communications
June 21, 2013
The Colorado Department of Transportation's (CDOT's) Oversize/Overweight Permits Process Improvement/Lean team, which was recently named among the top 32 such teams in the world during competition leading up the 2013 World Conference on Quality and Improvement in Indianapolis, IN, received welcome-home recognition on June 20 during the Colorado Transportation Commission meeting in Denver.
CDOT Executive Director Don Hunt conducted the recognition, during which all members of the Process Improvement Team, the Sponsor Coalition, the project sponsor, and project mentor were introduced. Mr. Hunt showed the beautiful glass trophy the team was awarded for its top-32 finish in the world against competition including the nations of China, Argentina, and Mexico, the Republic of Singapore, and such private-sector corporate giants as General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Coca-Cola, and Boeing.
Oversize/Overweight Permits Process Improvement/Lean team
The OS/OW team brought home another impressive award from the World Conference. Delegates attending the conference, including those presenting improvement processes, findings, and results, were able to vote for "Attendee Choice Awards" based upon presentations, the quality and findings of the process itself, and the personality and presentation skills of team members. CDOT's team was one of just three of the 32 finalists to receive an Attendee Choice Award. Gary Vansuch, CDOT Process Improvement Director and mentor for the Permits team process, showed the impressive plaque presented in conjunction with that honor to everyone in attendance. Vansuch, Craig Smith, and David Johnson represented the team and CDOT in Indianapolis.
Mr. Hunt highlighted some of the results of the improvement process, including a 34% reduction in the turnaround time for an online single permit; a 37% reduction in the turnaround time for a faxed single trip permit, and a 55% reduction in time (to 6.3 hours) in the turnaround time for a special permit. The team's efforts have led to numerous other improvements that have helped streamline business processes, as well.
OS/OW Process Improvement Team
Danny Wells, Maintenance & Operations Permits Section Manager
Craig Smith, Permits Writer
David Johnson, Permits Writer
Mac Hasan, Bridge Design & Management Branch
Jack Stieber, Grand Junction Maintenance Section 2, Region 3
Phillip Anderle, Greeley Maintenance Section 1, Region 4, Deputy Superintendent
Tanya Davis no longer works at CDOT
Sponsor Coalition
Laurie Freedle, Division of Accounting & Finance
David Wieder, Maintenance & Operations Branch Manager
Gregg Miller, CDOT Business Process Architect
Project Sponsor
Scott McDaniel, CDOT Staff Services Branch Manager
Project Mentor
Gary Vansuch, CDOT Process Improvement Director