The document provides an overview of the Practical Process Improvement (PPI) method. It outlines the 8-step problem solving method and principles of PPI. The PPI process involves defining boundaries, simplifying processes, analyzing data, testing solutions, and standardizing improvements. Key roles in PPI include the program champion, process champion, PPI team, team leader, and facilitator. PPI training involves multiple days for teaching the method and project work, with coaching sessions to review progress. The goal is to take a project from the training phase through implementation and long-term control. Ground rules for PPI team meetings emphasize participation, focusing on problems rather than people, and having an enjoyable experience.

1. Practical Process Improvement
An Overview of PPI
Dr. Mike Bell
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2. PPI Eight Step Problem Solving Method©
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3
Mission Statement Current Process Simplify Process
Identify problem History Look for waste and obvious
Define boundaries Flowchart problems
Develop metrics Identify key process steps Remove all waste and obvious
Identify stakeholders Gather data problems
Set Goals
Plan
Step 8 Step 4
Future Plans Analyse the Data
Develop list of unsolved issues Act Do Identify possible causes
Decide teams next activity and Use improvement tools
involvement Verify with data
Study
Step 7 Step 6 Step 5
Standardisation Test Solutions Find Solutions
Describe new process Conduct a test Evaluate solutions with data
Develop a plan PDSA Identify stakeholders
Ensure all actions are completed Study results Identify barriers
Take action Develop a plan
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3. Principles of PPI
Logical
Simplicity
Profit
Involve
Practical
Everyone
Methods
And Tools
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4. Overview of the PPI Process
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5. PPI Roles - Summary
• Program Champion
Senior Manager
responsible for the overall
success of the PPI  Process Manager
 Process Champion program Teaches and coaches
Owns the process being the teams through the
worked on by the team, 8-step process, up to
responsible for the success of the Report Out
the team
 PPI Coordinator
Coordinates training
schedules, training
numbers, metrics
 PPI Team  Team Leader
Cross- Leads the team,
functional responsible for  PPI Administrator
team, 5 – 7 project ‘content’ and Assists with training
members team activities room set up, materials
and logistics
 Facilitator
Aligned with PPI team,
assists with PPI ‘process’
and resolving any team
dynamics issues
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6. Narrowing using the PPI Process & Tools
Opinions
Ideas
Mission
Statement Brainstorm
Define Fishbone
Boundaries Data Team focuses
Team presented Quick Vote Analysis on 20% of the
with 100% of the Operational 4 M’s & E Solutions process that
Process Definitions Pareto
causes 80% of
Data SPC the problem
Study Gathering
Current
Process Check
Sheets
Quick Fix’s
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7. PPI Team Training
Training Days
1 2 3
Project Review / Coaching Days
Training Days with Process
Manager teaching 4 5 6
Teams start their project on Day Dry Run Report
1 Out
Days 1 & 2 are ‘back to back’ Project review with Process 7 8
Day 3 is Statistical Process Manager coaching teams
Control (SPC) training – Days 4,5,6 are normally half Team Dry Run (DR) with
normally the following week days but depends upon Process Manager to
from Days 1 & 2 number of teams finalize Report Out
Day 3 also includes a project Review days are normally presentation
review / coaching session with scheduled every two weeks Report Out (RO) is
the team
normally within 1 or 2
days of Dry Run
‘Formal’ PPI Training – Structured 8 -12 Week Process
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8. PPI Team Training
Project Overview
Training & Coaching Phase
Report
Out
Project Activity Phase PPI Team
Involvement
Implementation Phase
Control Phase (6 months min)
Process Manager Involvement Process Champion Ownership
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9. Ground Rules
• Participate & ask questions
• Do not interrupt Mobile
Phones off
• Do not dominate
please!
• Attack problems not people
• Record ideas accurately
• 3 knock rule
• 100 mile rule
• Use the parking space
• BE ON TIME
• Have fun
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