AC Way Resources

Tools

Looking for a specific tool for your improvement project? We've got tools, templates and tutorials on huddles, process mapping , project charters - and more!

Access the Knowledge Centre!

Training

Do you or your team need continuous improvement training? Find out what we offer at the AC Employee Learning Centre. (Access to Learning Centre required)

Access CI Training!

CI Framework

Do you want to discover how we approach our continuous improvement projects. Our framework is the foundation for the work we do in AC Way.

See our Framework

AC Way Continuous Improvement Framework

The AC Way framework is our methodology for approaching a continuous improvement project. We most often rely on an evolution of the DMAIC framework that is the problem solving approach for Lean Six Sigma, as seen in the table below.

 

1

 

2

 

3

 

4

 

5
DEFINE MEASURE ANALYZE IMPROVE CONTROL
Define the Problem Understand the Problem Investigate the Causes Trial and Test Solutions

Maintain the Solutions
We have an issue We want to understand We want to gain insights We want to improve We want our solutions to last
Where should we focus? How do we break it down? How do we investigate it? How do we make it happen? How do we monitor and sustain?

PROJECT CHARTER

Establish the project charter to define the most critical and impactful opportunities for improvement of the value stream

VOICE OF THE CUSTOMER

Obtain Voice of Customer to understand the problem from the customer’s lens

STAKEHOLDERS

Identify sponsor and all stakeholders. Establish the project team, roles and plan

BASELINE + CURRENT STATE

Develop and monitor data collection and gather evidence that illustrates the problem

PROCESS MAPPING

Document the steps in the process and identify the painpoints that contribute to the core problem identified in the project charter.

ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS

Performing a RCA using a broad range of techniques

VALIDATE CAUSES

Validate the deep issues of the problems with customers and stakeholders

BRAINSTORM SOLUTIONS

Brainstorm, prioritize and test out ideas or solutions

TEST, TRIAL + IMPLEMENT

Experiment, pilot, test and trial solutions. Create timeline and determine resources for full project roll out.

CHANGE MANAGEMENT

Plan for change. Keep stakeholders informed about the changes and continue to support during roll out

30/60/90 FOLLOWUP

Ensure improvements are sustained at various intervals

MONITOR AND VALIDATE

Monitor data to ensure improvement is effective at resolving original problem.

CELEBRATE + CLOSE OUT

Communicate outcomes of improvement project