Dear Manager,
I'm excited to bring you this month's updates.
We had the privilege of interviewing further interesting podcast guests.
In episode 15 we spoke with Mustafa Ammar about how, as a leader you can recognize the right moment for growth. Think about how long you'll be working in your life. You should enjoy what you do because it makes you a more energetic and enthusiastic leader.
Mustafa, who is fluent in seven languages and has traveled all over the world, shares this perspective. Like me, he considers himself a global citizen. Mustafa assists people in making smart career moves. In other words, he's an expert at making your job feel less like work. Your leadership role should be something that brings you joy and adds value to your company. If your job leaves you feeling tired and unhappy, it becomes more challenging to be successful as a manager.
Having changed careers multiple times, Mustafa can provide you with the tools to make your next career development smoother and less stressful.
He's been successful in many different fields, such as pharmacy, diplomatic work in China and Malawi, and also worked in a big bank. Throughout his journey, he focused on living his dream life, not the life others expected from him. His goal is to help you make those big career changes, so you can follow your passions with confidence.
In his company called "The Passion MBA," they have a step-by-step plan for those who want to take the next career step without taking big risks.
In episode 16 we featured Rick Morris, a certified Scrum Agile Master, best-selling author, and sought-after international keynote presenter. With credentials like PMP, MPM, Scrum Agile Master, and more, he's made a lasting impact across various industries. Rick has over 100 successful Project and Portfolio Management implementations.
As the author of four books, including the Amazon #1 best-seller "No Day But Today!" and a regular voice on "The Work/Life Balance" radio show, Rick's insights are invaluable.
I believe these two new episodes will greatly contribute to your overall continuous improvement goals.
The tool we will highlight this month is the Project Charter.
This fundamental tool is used by nearly every successful individual in the corporate world who is committed to improvements. Its application extends beyond Lean Six Sigma projects, making it a useful asset in a variety of project contexts. In your role as a manager, it is important to know how this tool is used, as it serves as a basis for all your improvement initiatives in your area.
Why use this tool?
It serves as an agreement document among the project sponsor, project leader and project team members, outlining the specific reasons for running the project. Once the project charter is filled out, it can be used to communicate with everyone involved in this project. It explains the “why” behind the project and what we aim to achieve.
Alternatively, one can also use this template as a program charter, which is the umbrella project on many smaller projects. Each project should have their own project charter template filled-out.
How to use this project charter tool?
1. Agree on Project Details: Work with your manager or project sponsor to decide what goes into the project charter. Start with the project title, which should have a verb and the process name, and add a measurable goal if applicable. For example, "improve process XYZ by 15%."
2. Explain the Value: Write a simple business case to explain why the project matters. Also, describe what will happen if we don't do the project.
3. Define Project Scope: Describe what your project will focus on, what's included (scope), and what's not included (out of scope).
4. Set metrics: Define key performance indicators for the project. This should include your current performance and target performance.
5. State the Problem: Write a short problem statement that's linked to the metrics. The problem must be something you can measure.
6. Set a goal: The goal needs to be a smart goal that is measurable and attainable. Each project should have no more than one main goal.
7. Financial Forecast: The expected financial impact is like a prediction. You can change it as the project goes on.
8. List the Team: Write down all the people involved in the project, including subject matter experts (SMEs).
9. Plan the Timeline: Put in the start date, end date, and important milestones for the project.
When to use this tool?
This is a must-have tool at the beginning of any project. As soon as there's a problem that needs solving and it can be measured, that's the perfect time to create a project charter. Make sure to complete it before the project kick-off session.
Three Do's and Don'ts:
Do's:
1. Do it Early: Complete the charter with your manager and project sponsor before the project team's kick-off meeting.
2. Connect Goals and Problems: Make sure your goal statement is directly related to the problem statement.
3. Use Measurable Language: Describe the problem in a way that you can measure, using metrics.
Don'ts:
1. Avoid Solutions: Don't include potential solutions in the charter.
2. Leave Out Root Causes: Don't mention potential root causes at this stage.
3. Highlight Client Benefits: Don't forget to mention the benefits the client will gain from this project.
Want to learn more?
I invite you to watch my 4-minute video tutorial, which provides a detailed examination of this tool, and to get a free downloadable template for your convenience. Here is the link:
In case you are not able to enter the tool vault, then you might need to register (or log in) first. Once registered, go to the “Define Phase” and click on the tool, “Project Charter”.
We're thrilled to announce a 25% discount on all courses purchased between December 20th and January 31st. This applies for the courses for managers as well as the courses for employees.
December and January are the best times of the year to evaluate your team´s performance and set new goals for the upcoming year. At WAVE, we aim to equip you and your employees with the skills necessary to achieve these new objectives in 2024.
Please explore our wide selection of courses designed for individuals, whether with or without Lean Six Sigma experience. The best part is that each certification comes with a measurable ROI, as your employees will apply their new skills in a real process improvement project within your company, with guidance from a WAVE coach throughout the journey.
To obtain the discount, please send an email to: contact@wave-bef.com
Providing the following information:
· Name of the chosen courses
· Quantity per course
· In the email subject, please mention: 25% year-end discount.
In the Projects section on the WAVE website, my team and I are engaged in 2 compelling long-term projects:
1. Sustainability for Companies:
If your company is committed to advancing its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reducing its carbon footprint, or if you're interested in enhancing your organization's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, we invite you to explore our project page on Sustainability for Companies. I’m more than happy to discuss these exciting topics with you. Discover more by visiting: Sustainability for Companies
Project Example: Reducing the amount of good food wasted.
Initial Problem: A logistics company was responsible for transporting food from point A to point B. 15% of that food was unsellable at point B, resulting in nearly 1 ton of food being thrown away every month.
Goal: Reduce the amount of discarded food from 1.000 kilos to 50 kilos.
Solution: We reviewed all end-to-end logistics from point A to point B and implemented the following changes:
· Analyzed the root causes of food wastage and created an action plan.
· Improved loading procedures (standards) for pallets and trucks.
· Optimized air temperature and ventilation inside the trucks.
· Modified the route to reduce the number of hours for end-to-end transport of fruits.
· Improved unloading procedures
· Adjusted supermarket standards regarding accepted and rejected items.
· Initiated a collaboration with a local NGO to collect rejected food, redirecting it to smaller local supermarkets, food-courts and to homeless shelters.
Results: The amount of discarded food was successfully reduced from 1,000 kilos to 23 kilos per month.
2. Health, Happiness, and Planet Podcast:
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 discover practical tips and valuable insights on boosting your energy, improving your health, and adopting habits that contribute to a healthier environment.
Here is an overview of the previous episodes we recently featured. Our analytics skyrocketed thanks to our incredible guests.
Episode 19: Vegan Vitality: Path to Muscularity and Wellness
Wishing you and your family a joyful holiday season and a Happy New Year filled with health, happiness, energy and success.
See you in January.
Best regards,
Juan
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