15-Minute Lean Simulation
Overview
Have you ever wondered how you can demonstrate some of the principles of Lean process improvement to other people? If so, try this 15-minute simulation exercise with your team to experience how the Lean process improvement methodology works!
Time required: 15 to 30 minutes
Number of people required: 4 and above
Facilitator Instructions
Depending on the number of participants, create separate teams of four people. Label each team with a number (Team One, Team Two, etc.). Within each team, assign each participant one of the following roles (there can be more than one per role): Front Line Worker, Lead Worker, Supervisor, and Manager.
Senior leaders from across the Government of Saskatchewan workplace participate in a Lean simulation exercise.
Provide each participant with a name tag containing their job title and team number. Separate the participants by job function: ask the front line workers to sit together as a group, the lead workers together, etc.
Provide a calculator to the Front Line Worker from each team, along with an envelope containing the simulation instructions (below), and copies of each of the three worksheets they are required to complete.
Team Instructions
Front Line Workers: Use the calculator to complete your work on each of the three worksheets. Record the time elapsed, then pass the worksheets on to the Lead Worker for your team.
Lead Workers: Complete your work on each of the three worksheets. Record the time elapsed, then pass the worksheets on to the Supervisor for your team.
Supervisors: Complete your work on each of the three worksheets. Record the time elapsed, then pass the worksheets on to the Manager for your team.
Managers: Complete your work on each of the three worksheets. Record the total time to complete the exercise.
Next Steps
After each team member has completed their work, each team will then have 5 to 10 minutes to re‐design the process with the end goal of improving accuracy and total turnaround time. Each team will then repeat the exercise using the re‐designed process to determine whether the new process has improved the workflow and reduced the time required to complete the exercise.
Paperwork Simulation Materials (Click to View/Download)
*Materials borrowed from our friends at the Office of Continuous Improvement in Minnesota