Taking time to stop and look at what works, what doesn’t, and what new processes or steps are needed is key when businesses are facing a crisis and time of great change. One tool to help with this is called Start, Stop, Continue. Here are the basics:
- Have the team list items that they think would have a positive impact on quality, accuracy, safety, productivity, etc. that aren’t being used already.
- Have the team list activities or tasks that aren’t helping achieve goals and objectives and/or actually be interfering with or hindering performance.
- Have the team list what steps, tasks, processes, or actions are working well and should be continued moving forward.
Have everyone submit one or two items for each area, then have an interdisciplinary workgroup identify the top ones. The workgroup then can engage the appropriate team members to plan and implement the final items.
Some of the benefits of this include:
- People will find out that they have much in common and share similar ideas.
- Staff members feel like their input is appreciated and valued.
- Problems or conflicts that are flying under the radar can be recognized and addressed.
