News & Events

October 21, 2004

Update on Culture Survey and One-day Regional Trainings

Thank you to everyone who attended one of the Bend the Curve (BTC) sessions over the last week. As a member of the Steering Committee, I was glad to see that people were interested in the process we are about to undertake, and thought that there were a lot of good questions and comments made. Personally, it was nice to see some people I haven't seen in a while, and to meet people I've talked with over the phone or through e-mail. I also learned that the Augusta Armory has quite an echo!

I'd like to take a moment to follow-up on some of the items we talked about at the conferences over the last week. These items include the selection of Value Stream Mapping processes, team memberships, feedback summaries, and follow-ups to questions that were noted on the flip charts.

When we began the conferences, there was a list of 16 processes to be VSM'd in November, and another 4 processes that were already being piloted in the Department. Over the course of the three sessions, another 9 processes were suggested. I am attaching a document that identifies the 9 processes that were added during the sessions. These processes were considered along with the original 16 when the Steering Committee met to determine which processes would be VSM'd during the first phase of Bend the Curve (BTC).

During the sessions, we outlined several criteria that were used to select the original 16. These criteria were: number of customers/people impacted; potential to improve intradepartmental coordination; potential to improve service; potential to save money; and, potential to improve efficiency. In addition to these criteria, the Steering Committee looked at those processes on which a number of people had an interest in working.

With that information, the Steering Committee met yesterday to select the processes that would be VSM'd during the initial BTC phase on November 2 and 3. Logistically, we knew that up to 15 processes could be looked at initially. Therefore, the Steering Committee selected 2 of the new processes and 10 of the original processes for the initial BTC phase. The other processes that were identified will still go forward at a later date. The processes going forward at this time are:

Direct Deposit of Unemployment Benefit Checks
Distribution of Publications
Empowerment & Decision Making
Fact-finding & Appeals
Improve VR Service Delivery
Increase SSA/VR Reimbursements
OIP Job Jar
UI/ES Service Collaboration (formerly One Stop Shopping)
Outreach and Education
Procurement and Accounts Payable
UC Tax and Benefit Collections
Website

The Steering Committee began to look at process team membership, but needed more time to consult with office managers to ensure that our services to customers continue while the BTC work gets underway. The Steering Committee also identified potential sponsors for each of the processes, even those not going forward initially. More information on membership and sponsors will be sent out early next week.

The information and feedback collected at each session is still being pulled together. This information, along with answers to questions that were flip charted, will be posted on the website early next week.

Finally, I'd like to thank those people who volunteered for the Data Team and the Logistics Team. The Data Team will meet to review the materials generated at the sessions, identify themes, and make some recommendations to the Steering Committee. These folks are: Scott Neumeyer, BUC; Elaine Swift, BES; Steve Crate, DAH; Patti Page, BLS; Darcy Coffin, OIP; Michelle Park, TDC; Mike Johnson, TDC; Dawn Lamb, BUC; and, Tim Griffin, BES. The Logistics Team will work together to plan future BTC events. These folks are: Terry Hathaway, BLS; Nancy Curran, BUC; Billy Joe Ladd, OAS; Steve LaPlante, OFS; and, Dave Wacker, BLS.

I'll have more information for you next week on team membership and feedback. Thanks again to everyone who participated!

Back to Bend the Curve homepage