Re action Learning and SOPK

["Short Ron" <ron.short@marshalls.co.uk>]

I would like to echo the posting from Paddy Cox to actually do and take part is the best learning curve of all. I was introduced to Deming's teachings back in 1997 by my employer who sent almost everybody from a management and supervisory role on what was called a six day Tools and Techniques course. The six days where split up over six weeks with a group of 10 people. At the start of day one we were told to think of a project work related to make an improvement in our present day to day jobs, the final day was to give a presentation on what we all had achieved. The preceding 5 days were at classroom level learning the tools and techniques we required to carry out the improvement, one of the most convincing factors was to take part in the Red Bead experiment. At plant level the projects were carried out not by the individual but on a team basis involving your subordinates the plant management and operators all inputted into your project. At the end of the project the improvement was highly visible to all in the department and more importantly all had contributed and could instantly recognise the benefits of everyone efforts and the need to continue down this route. The course was based around the teachings of Deming with real practical examples and exercises in generating control charts and using them to recognise and action variation. In short without the practical training I feel I could have read any book on the subject and thought Mmm that sounds good but unfortunately like most books once read put down and forgotten.
Ron Short
Works Engineer
Falkirk works