Resources

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!

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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)

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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.

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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