Five key elements of Successful Change Management

orion
Apr 25
4 min read

Dear Manager,

I’m excited to share the latest updates with you.

This quarter, I released episode 22 a solo episode where I tackled the question: Are you struggling to get your team on board with change?

With constant change in today’s workplace, managing transitions effectively while minimizing employee resistance is crucial. Whether you're implementing new standards, restructuring teams, or launching initiatives, the right change management techniques can make the process much smoother.

In this episode, I walk you through five key elements of successful change management. You’ll also have the opportunity to self-evaluate and recognize the risks of neglecting these essential principles.

This month, we'll delve into the tool called: 8 Wastes (in Japanese called, MUDA).

Why Use This Tool?

This tool helps identify areas in our end-to-end process where employees invest time and effort in steps that add no value. Once we pinpoint these inefficiencies, we can develop improvement ideas to optimize the process.

When to Use This Tool?

Use this method in two ways:

Assess Overall MUDA: When performing your GEMBA, evaluate the overall waste (MUDA) in your area. Ask yourself or your team about each of the eight waste types and identify any opportunities for improvement.
Support Process Improvement: Encourage and support your Lean Six Sigma project leader in using this tool during the Measure phase of process improvement.

3 Do’s and 3 Don’ts

Do: Conduct this activity as a workshop or one-on-one meetings with SMEs (Subject Matter Experts). A workshop is preferable if possible. Do: Provide a brief training session on MUDA before the activity so SMEs understand the concept. Do: Share examples of each type of MUDA to make identification easier.

Don’t: Forget that this workshop can also be conducted digitally. Don’t: Jump straight to solutions—analyze root causes first to avoid ineffective fixes. Don’t: Overlook any of the 8 types of MUDA—each one plays a role in process inefficiencies.

You can find additional information on how to use this tool in our tool vault. If you’re unable to access the Tool Vault, please consider registering first. Once registered, navigate to the Measure phase and select the desired tool.

You’ll also find short videos where I explain each tool in more detail.

This Month’s Course Spotlight: Lean Six Sigma for Managers (LSSfM) Certification

Are you ready to elevate your leadership skills and drive real impact? The LSSfM Certification is designed specifically for managers looking to embed a Lean Six Sigma continuous improvement mindset within their teams.

Through this program, you’ll gain the tools to set strategic annual goals, receive ongoing coaching, and see tangible before-and-after results in key performance areas:

Process Efficiency
Performance Management
Mindset & Behaviors
Organization & Skills
Voice of the Customer (VOC)

For a quick overview, watch this 1.5-minute video: Lean Six Sigma for Managers - YouTube

In the Projects section on the WAVE website, my team and I are engaged in 2 compelling long-term projects which are handled as long-term programs:

Project: Sustainability for Companies:

If your company is committed to advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reducing its carbon footprint, or if you are looking to enhance your Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, we invite you to explore our Sustainability for Companies project page. My team and I would be happy to discuss these exciting topics with you. Learn more by visiting: Sustainability for Companies.

80% of the projects we support come from customers in the financial sector, such as banks and insurance companies. We are also strongly engaged with real estate firms and IT companies. However, in this edition of our newsletter, I would like to share with you how my team and I have combined 5 Lean Six Sigma projects with sustainability topics:

Reducing Chemical Waste in Production
Problem: Excessive chemical waste generated during manufacturing.
LSS Approach: identify waste sources, optimize formulations, and reduce overuse.
Optimizing Chemical Processes for Efficiency
Problem: Inefficient chemical reactions or processes lead to unnecessary byproducts.
LSS Approach: Apply Design of Experiments (DOE) and Statistical Process Control (SPC) to optimize reaction conditions and raw material usage.
Substituting Harmful Chemicals with Safer Alternatives
Problem: Toxic chemicals used in production processes.
LSS Approach: Conduct Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) to assess risks and identify safer, cost-effective alternatives.
Reducing Chemical Usage in Cleaning & Maintenance
Problem: Overuse of industrial cleaning chemicals.
LSS Approach: Implement 5S (Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain) to standardize cleaning procedures and optimize chemical concentrations.
Minimizing Environmental Impact of Chemical Disposal
Problem: Inefficient disposal leading to pollution.
LSS Approach: Use Value Stream Mapping (VSM) to track chemical disposal steps, identify inefficiencies, and implement sustainable disposal methods.

Summary: The fewer chemicals we create, the healthier and more resilient our environment and physical bodies will be to thrive!

Internal WAVE Project: Health, Happiness, and Planet:

At WAVE, we're driven not just by the goal of enhancing your business performance, but also by a deep commitment to your overall well-being, happiness, and the health of our planet. That's why we've dedicated a separate project page and a podcast to these essential topics.

Here, you’ll find practical tips and valuable insights on boosting your energy, improving your health, and adopting habits that contribute to a healthier environment.

Below is an overview of the episodes we featured in Q1 of 2025.