Intern Success Story: Michael Porter
By Mary Nordini, Process improvement Intern
February 13, 2019
What do lean processes and Santa Claus have in common? They are both skills Michael (Mike) Porter has mastered thanks to an internship with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT).
In 2016 Mike joined CDOT in the Office of Process Improvement (OPI). New to Colorado with a degree in industrial engineering, Mike already had experience with lean processes and was looking for a mentor: he found one in Gary Vansuch, director of the OPI.
Gary enabled Mike to explore Colorado, traveling to the different regions, while providing the resources to excel and advance his experience in lean processes:
Photo of Mike Porter
“Gary is so well respected and is asked to be a part of so many projects that it really helped to get exposure...this connected me with the Colorado Lean Network, which then really opened the doors to other types of businesses other than transportation and government.”
Able to sit in on meetings of the Colorado Lean Network, Mike learned of the practices shared, while managing a platform, the Lean Everyday Ideas program (LEI), for CDOT to share internal practice. His work primarily focused on the database, receiving ideas and providing feedback. The ideas were collected, and Mike put in the customer relationship component, developing a cadence to respond to all ideas. This cadence involved processing it into a new card if it was developed and successful implementation or providing suggestions on how to better the idea to resubmit for consideration. He also contributed to the formation of regional committees to sponsor ideas to create a vetting process for what is submitted, leading to more successful submission and few ideas sent back for improvement. In his time at CDOT Mike developed his experience in lean practices, but also gained exposure to the strategy and change management components of project management:
“...the human components of it all was fascinating. And then also the strategy, understanding how in business it's more than just what you see in front of you. There’s so many variables to take into account.”
As for the Santa experience, Mike recalls being asked to fulfill the role of Santa at the Christmas party. In a cryptic email, Gary requested Mike to meet with him, only to propose the idea of his stuffing four pillows into a red suit for the holidays. It was a fun experience that allowed Mike to help give back to the CDOT employees. And Mike adapted the role perfectly, responding to inquisitions as to who he was with grace, saying his department was the north pole and his co-workers were the elves.
Mike’s only regret? He didn’t get to keep the Santa suit--not even the hat. But in his time at CDOT Mike was able to wear many hats, gaining valuable experience and developing his skills. Mike has continued his involvement with transportation, seeing transportation as vital, currently working with Denver’s RTD, and now looking to work with Sound Transit, the Seattle public transportation program which is looking to start up a lean program.
“Transportation is a core bit of every other business. And if you can get that part right, everyone benefits.”
Mike as Santa Claus surrounded by OPI team