A group of employees is gathered in a conference room, both in person and virtually. The individuals are smiling and appear to be engaged in a collaborative discussion. The room includes a large screen showing virtual participants joining the meeting.

Delivering excellence through Continuous Process Improvement

At the Western Area Power Administration, a community of over 300 dedicated team members drive efficiency by enhancing their skill set in Continuous Process Improvement methodology and practices. By establishing a Community of Practice, WAPA encourages employees to share knowledge, experiences and best practices with each other.

The CPI COP includes individuals at various levels of the Lean Six Sigma process improvement skillset, from White Belts with a basic understanding of the principles to Master Black Belts, who lead complex projects utilizing a suite of tools and techniques. Certified belts support the CPI Program part-time, primarily aiding their local organizations but also assisting with WAPA-wide initiatives. Green and Black Belts act as project managers and process improvement experts at WAPA.

Practitioners at all “belt” levels apply LSS to improve operational, financial, technological, workforce management and other processes in supporting WAPA’s mission. They seek to redefine how we achieve our strategic goals, always seeking to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.

Training, mentoring, certification

WAPA’s CPI COP creates a robust personal and professional development environment through training, mentoring, networking, community involvement and LSS belt certifications. Michael Brown, a civil engineer from the Desert Southwest region, explained how he puts his Green Belt to work: “Using the Lean Six Sigma knowledge and tools, I can help improve processes. I approach scoping a project based on customer needs or working with a group to improve our organization’s larger, more complex processes.”

These certifications foster an environment of professional achievement while developing competencies to implement practical solutions within an employee’s area of expertise.

Supporting program goals

The CPI program aims to foster and mature a culture of continuous improvement, build CPI skills and competencies through a cadre of CPI professionals and ultimately apply the LSS skillset to improve critical processes across the enterprise.  CPI program objectives are centered on enhancing efficiency, reliability and service quality. Adhering to these objectives in every project drives transformative change and enhances operational success.

The CPI COP plays a critical role in maturing the CPI culture at WAPA. Through regular and recurring engagement in process improvement, it seeks to embed a continuous improvement mindset into employees’ everyday activities and attitudes. Electrical Engineer Nicole Hicks from WAPA’s Upper Great Plains region is earning her Black Belt by leading a CPI WAPA-wide project to improve how WAPA oversees and tracks the completion of safety and other operational training.

“As a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, I work with teams of subject matter experts and customers to perform root cause analysis, identify waste and seek improvement solutions,” Hicks explained.

CPI Program Leads Stacy Bragg and Matt Jenkins provide Hicks with coaching and support from project ideation to solution implementation. This community provides a support network where individuals can collaborate, seek advice and learn from each other’s successes and challenges.

Making connections; building bridges

As an ongoing effort to expand the LSS professional network, the CPI community focuses on building connections by regularly hosting events such as lunch-and-learns, community workshops and employee mentoring sessions.

The community regularly invites guest speakers to share their insights and expertise. Over the past year, the CPI community has hosted speakers who provide regular updates and tools to support continuous process improvement within the ever-evolving industry. Special guest speakers, such as Dr. George Yacus, one of the Department of Energy’s leading CPI program members, have been instrumental in presenting quick tips and pathways for members to navigate the LSS certification process.

This month, the CPI COP featured Dr. Brooke Wilson, a consultant recognized as one of Inside Business’s 2023 Top Forty Under 40. Wilson, who works for Volvo Penta, specializes in driving continuous process improvement, helping businesses streamline operations, enhance efficiency and achieve strategic goals. Her expertise in International Organization for Standardization allows for a unique consulting service that strategically aligns CPI and ISO standards to support highly effective business practices.

Why it matters

The CPI community at WAPA exemplifies the power of collective effort and shared knowledge. The CPI community drives WAPA toward greater effectiveness by fostering a culture of continuous improvement, building connections and providing opportunities for professional development and on-the-ground application.

Through the structured methodologies of LSS, WAPA’s CPI practitioners not only identify areas for improvement but also implement effective changes that keep WAPA competitive and responsive to the evolving needs of the energy sector. With the support of WAPA’s top executives and the expertise of guest speakers, the CPI community at WAPA is well-positioned to continue making significant strides in enhancing operational excellence.

As process improvement applies to all we do, employees are encouraged to join the community and use the concepts in their programs and processes.  Employees can find more information about WAPA’s Continuous Process Improvement program here on WAPA’s CPI page.

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Last modified on December 3rd, 2024