Combinations 157
Related Activities
- Circle of Opportunity [23]
- Ideas in a Box [25]
- Mad Scientist [27]
- 666 [34]
Procedure
- Have each group obtain a sheet of flip-chart paper and tape it lengthwise to a wall
or lay it down on a table. - Distribute the SAMM I Am Handout, review it with the participants, and answer
any questions they may have. - Tell them to list the major process activities and then ways to modify any process
(for example, speed up, eliminate, rearrange), as shown in the handout. - Have them draw a matrix with process steps listed on the left and potential modi-
fications listed along the top. - Instruct them to examine each cell (the intersection of steps and modifications)
and use them to suggest possible ideas/modifications for that step. - Tell them to write down their ideas on Post-it®Notes (one idea per note) and place
them on flip charts for evaluation.
Debrief/Discussion
This technique obviously is limited in its applicability to a diversity of problems. On the
other hand, that is a definite plus for any process improvement challenges. Used appro-
priately, this exercise has the potential to generate a variety of process improvements in a
systematic way. If time is available, ask the participants to discuss in what ways, if any,
this technique could be used for other types of problems such as marketing, new product
development, customer service, or other organizational problems.
Also consider having participants debrief using the following questions:- What was most helpful about this exercise?
- What was most challenging?
- What can we apply?
- How would you rate the value of this exercise to helping us with this issue?
- Will this exercise be helpful in the future for other sessions?
- What did you learn?
- What will we be able to use from this exercise?
- What ideas were generated, and which ones were most interesting?
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