Manager of Continuous Improvement — Online

Click here to learn more about the online Manager of Continuous Improvement Program.

Quality System Basics – 8 contact hours

Quality System Basics is designed as an overview of key concepts that are used in any robust quality management system. The content covered in this course will provide you with tools and tips to improve your organization. Topics include; ISO 9001:2008, ISO/TS 16949, Process FMEA, Problem-solving Methods, Mistake-proofing, Layered Audits, and Standardized Work. 

Cost of Poor Quality – 8 contact hours
Available February 2012

This course is a key component of an effective continuous improvement program. It provides senior management with quantitative information for directing limited resources towards the critical areas needing to be addressed. This course will introduce you to key concepts and provides a proven approach for the successful implementation of a program including cost reduction projects. The course emphasis is on the practical aspects with a minimal amount of theory. You’ll:

• Identify the main quality cost categories and the types of costs associated with each, both visible and hidden;
• Identify the key steps to sell, pilot and implement a formal Cost of Poor Quality program; and
• Undertake the various activities required to deliver cost reduction projects

Leadership Principles & Practices– 8 contact hours

Today’s dynamic and competitive business environment requires that organizations develop and support leaders at all levels. In this online workshop, participants will learn the principles and practices of effective leaders, how to develop their own leadership capacities, and how to develop the leadership capacities of others in their organizations. In addition to the 8 content hours, the Leadership Principles and Practices course includes a 360 feedback exercise focused on assisting participants in identifying and building on their leadership strengths.

• Introduction to leadership
• The roles of leaders and managers
• The practices of leadership
• Leadership communication
• Leading change
• Expanding your personal leadership capacity
• Developing leaders in your organization

Building Effective Teams– 8 contact hours

The ability to build and implement effective teams is essential to an organization’s success. This program defines a strong process for building high-quality, high performance teams. Learn to apply the basic skills needed to implement a successful team in any organization.

• The role of teams in the 21st Century organization
• Types of teams
• Key elements of a successful team
• Defining the team’s purpose and mission
• Developing a team charter
• Identifying key stakeholders
• Your role – what do you bring to the team?
• Stages of team development
• Conducting effective meetings
• Team communication

Team Problem Solving – 8 contact hours
Available January 2012

Learn a thorough approach to achieving high-impact team problem-solving. Gain experience through discussions and application activities using 8D problem-solving methodology.

• Step 1: Problem and Team Selection
• Step 2: Analyze the Process: Problem Description
• Step 3: Select and Verify a Short Term Solution
• Step 4: Identify and Verify Root Cause
• Step 5: Select and Verify a Long Term Solution
• Step 6: Gain Management's Support and Implement the Solution
• Step 7: Standardize the Management Process
• Step 8: Congratulate the Team

Project Management – 8 contact hours
Available April 2012

Learn how to produce high quality results, on-time and on-budget, by managing effective projects using high performance project teams.

• Characteristics of a Successful Project
• Major Project Phases
• Project Performance – Quality, Cost and Timing
• Defining Project Outcomes
• Identifying Project Team Members
• Introduction to Microsoft Project
• Basic Fundamentals of MS-Project 2007
• Resource Planning
• Critical Path
• Estimating Costs

Strategic Planning - 8 contact hours

Participants will learn a powerful framework and the analytical tools to develop strategic plans in the short timeframes required by our fast-moving world.

• Purpose and Principles of Strategic Planning
• Strategic Planning Models
• Three Elements of an Effective Strategic Plan
• Effective Use of Data in the Strategic Planning Process
• Eight-Step Strategic Planning Process
• Prepare
• Articulate Mission, Vision and Organizational Values
• Review Strategic Position
• Develop Strategic Objectives and Key Performance Indicators
• Create Action Plans
• Identify Next Actions
• Communicate and Implement
• Hold Everyone Accountable
• Building in Organizational Agility

Continuous Improvement Methods – 8 contact hours
Available April 2012

Continuous Improvement Methods introduces the student to a variety of approaches to continual improvement. Focus will be on establishing, guiding and managing continuous improvement initiatives in any organization.

• Identifying the Key Business Processes
• Selecting Metrics and Setting Improvement Goals
• Leading and Lagging Indicators
• Measuring Key Processes
• Histograms, Trend Charts, Paretos, Fishbone, 5 Whys
• Aligning Process Metrics with Strategic Goals
• Developing Process Criteria to Ensure Performance

Lean Operations with 5S – 8 contact hours
Available July 2012

This course provides an overview of Lean fundamentals. Experience how to identify and eliminate waste and prepare to begin the Lean journey in your own organization. Each of the essential Lean tools will be presented, and students will learn how they work together to reduce costs, improve processes and delight customers.

• Lean Basics
• Creating a Lean Culture
• Standardized Work
• Identification of Best Practices
• 5S: Organizational Housekeeping
• Flowing Work
• Workplace Layout
• Cells and Continuous Flow
• Pull Systems and Kanban
• Visual Management
• The Concept of Kaizen
• Sustaining the Gains

Value Stream Mapping and Process Mapping – 8 contact hours
Available July 2012

Discover this powerful tool related to a lean operation using techniques that will improve the efficiency, quality and cost of a value stream. Learn to define and identify value streams for analysis, how to map the current state, and how to create a future state to improve the processes in your organization.

• What is a Value Stream?
• Benefits of Value Stream Mapping
• Developing a Current State Map
• Creating a Future State Map
• Identifying Action Items

For More Information
Beth Stoner
734.487.8285 | estoner@emich.edu