Clearings, Intentions, and Noticing
June 21st, 2003 by Hal
Over the last week or so, I've been exploring the circumstances for working in a lean fashion. Lean production efforts often start out with the visual workplace (5S). To that, firms will set objectives for their lean initiatives that has the effect of engaging people in looking for opportunities. Setting goals or clarifying intentions has the effect of engaging the reticular activating system. But that is not enough. People will only see what they can distinguish.
I used to work on my car. Actually, it's been a very long time since I last worked on my '63 Plymouth Belvedere with a slant six engine. I could gap the spark plugs, clean the points, change filters, oil, and lubricate. I had the distinctions for observing and taking action with the car. No more. The engine compartment is now so sophisticated (and it's been so long since I did anything under the hood) that I don't even notice what needs attention.
What we notice has to do with the distinctions we can make and the routines that we follow. Both our noticing and effectiveness in action increase as we take action. If we want to work in a lean way we need the distinctions of lean and we need to take action. Knowing about riding a bike and actually riding a bike are two separate matters. It doesn't matter how much time is spent showing bike riding, discussing the physics or riding, and explaining the actions of riding, learning to ride occurs on the bike. Learning to operate in a lean way happens by doing projects in a lean way.
In the posting 5R Protocol for a Listening Workplace I distinguish five conditions for setting the stage for lean project delivery. Those five conditions produce a clearing that allows for noticing and for listening to the everyday actions of project delivery. The routines on the project reinforce goals and intentions while deepening distinctions.
What's next? While a rewrite of the 5R Protocol is coming, I'll first take a shot at producing a quick 'n easy guide for project leaders. I'd like to do an experiment with a few adventuresome souls. Please drop me a note indicating your interest in joining the experiment.
Related Posts
- Experimenting with the Listening Workplace I've had some provocative comments on my speculation for a Listening Workplace (5R). (See Clearings, Intentions and Not...
- Project Theory Gravitates towards the Language Action Perspective This is the year of the language action perspective for project management. IGLC researchers have been exploring unde...
- Set an Improvement Agenda for Your Project Sorry for being late with this week's Project e-Tip. I'e had an exciting week visiting the Toyota Camry plant and anoth...
- 5R Protocol for a Listening Workplace — A speculation I've been just a little bothered by the state of the art of lean project delivery for awhile. When I look at the work d...
- Shift Good Intentions into Commitments Inspiration for this week's Project e-Tip came from Jeffrey Cufaude's May 19th weblog posting Are Good Intentions Good E...
