Applied Curiosity and Great Process Work

Last week I spoke about doing Great Process Work in 2019, and I challenged the readers to do some reflection to come up with some great work projects.

However, a one-time reflection alone is not enough to come up with great process projects to work on.

Coming up with these projects on an ongoing basis is part of the job of process experts. As I thought further about this, I realized I have always had a list of great work to do that included my current project but also ideas for future efforts.

Question:

How did I always have a list of great stuff to work on?

Answer:

APPLIED CURIOSITY.

Wanting to do better is what motivates this line of thinking. I always thought having this list was part of my job, so I could propose interesting projects to pursue and somewhat “control my own destiny” in project selection.

Things I am curious about in this context include:

For New Processes

• What chronic customer problem could be solved (at the root-cause level) by the creation of a completely new material?

• What next-generation process might be significantly better than an existing process?

• What ideas do the R&D folks have that show true potential? Who are the R&D folks with the right track record and disposition and experience to quickly bring ideas forward?

• What would an example of a “gold standard” for new materials or new processes, both inside or outside the company?

For Existing Processes

• What are current yields and what is the financial impact of a percentage improvement in yield?

• Are there ways to radically improve the current process (perhaps by some clever idea that considerably simplifies the process)?

• How dependable is the process for the customers? How happy are the customers with the process performance? Is there a way to dramatically improve this dependability?

• Who has a track record of dramatic improvements to existing processes? What ideas and insights do they have?

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My main learning from this line of thinking is that having great process projects to work on is really about asking the right questions and being curious. This curiosity is completely applied and interested in real-world possibilities. Great Process Work opportunities will occur naturally as we use our curiosity to explore and define future efforts.

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YOUR CHALLENGE THIS WEEK

Consider your Great Process Work, and how Applied Curiosity can be a catalyst for generating these projects…

• What questions are your process experts curious about? How would they answer the questions above? Do they have other questions that are worth answering? Can these questions be usefully codified?

• Would regular reviews (perhaps every 4 months or so) of these ideas be worthwhile? Who could champion and support this review effort?

MPES Consulting is passionate about creating great processes, and curious what possibilities we can help you bring into fruition. We are here to help you generate breakthrough-level outcomes.

If you email me I’ll get back to you promptly, thanks.

All the Best,

Marty

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