FM successfully completed our first full-length Kaizen event. What’s Kaizen? It comes from the Japanese words "kai" meaning "change" or "the action to correct" and "zen" meaning "good". We assembled a team made up of FM staff, customers and partners within the University to figure out ways to improve overall custodial inspection process.
The group realized that we need more data and a more consistent approach to help us target improvements (e.g. better equipment) to our $25 million custodial program. The new process will:
• Shift FM from Internal focus (person) to Customer focus (space)
• Enhance customer awareness of the value we provide
• Increase customer confidence that they are receiving best value service
• Help us understand what our customer needs
• Provide more complete and consistent data
• Produce more accurate and actionable data/information of the building space
• Produce a better understanding of functional space standards by B&G workers
Rather then just talk theory, the group tested the new system during their week together and made real time adjustments. They are then coupling the new process with hand held devices, which will make Quality Assurance rounds more efficient and should lead to more area being covered. The project is being piloted in Mondale Hall. We’ll let you know the results this summer and will be talking about how to take what was learned here and how we can spread this practice to all of the campus.
Thank you to the team members that helped make this happen:
Larry Van Grootheest (NW Sr. B&G)
Bill Fimon (NW B & G)
Brian Heller (NW Facility Sup)
Rick Swanson (NW Team Manager)
Tom McArdle (EB Custodial Supervisor)
Julian Faile (HS Custodial Sup )
Ruthann Manlet (SP Team Manager)
Phil Eddleson (B&G, St. Paul)
Renee Tyler (Office Mgr., Central Services)
Linda Lokensgard (Customer, Law School)
Adam Howard (Customer, OCM)
Beth Louden (Kaizen Sponsor)
Sean Schuller (Kaizen Leader)
Keep up the good work.
Mike
| 
Return
to: University Services : U
of M Home
