WORK IMPROVEMENT TEAMS (WIT) Dr S Sridharan

WHAT ARE WITS? They are essentially employee-based small group activities. Their aims: To provide staff with opportunities for meaningful involvement; To provide staff with opportunities for meaningful involvement; Contribution and challenge; Contribution and challenge; Bottom line results-higher quality outputs and service; and Bottom line results-higher quality outputs and service; and Improved productivity Improved productivity

WIT comprises a group of between 3-15 members belonging to the same work unit (e.g. the OPD members) who meet regularly to identify, analyze and solve problems and improve outputs of their work unit. They also implement improvement measures or recommend them to management

WHAT ARE WIT OBJECTIVES? WITS aims to improve: PerformancePerformance oQuality of service, output oProductivity MotivationMotivation oMaking work more meaningful oProviding little challenges here and there oHaving open and effective communication oDeveloping more positive attitudes

► The Quality of Work Life (QWL) o Job satisfaction o Work environment o Teamwork and human relations

WITs seek to effect qualitative improvements in the following areas: Service to the customer / public Inputs, outputs Use of resources Procedures, workflow, systems, methods Work environment Workload management CoordinationSafety Efficiency and effectiveness Skills and knowledge

ROLE OF THE LEADER Gets subordinates to join WIT activities Leads the WIT and involves team members in solving problems or bringing about improvements relevant to the team’s work Works closely with the facilitator in projects undertaken by WIT

ROLE OF WITs MEMBERS Attend meetings regularly Share and contribute ideas, effort and time to help and improve the team’s effectiveness Cooperate with and help team leader and others Participate in problem-solving activities of the group Effect improvements arising from projects carried out by the team

ROLE OF THE STEERING COMMITEE  Sets overall goals and objectives for WITs  Sets policies and procedures for WITs operations  Promotes WITs activities  Selects and appoints WITs facilitators  Evaluates and rewards WITs activities  Allocates rsources for WITs operation  Manages WITs programme and takes corrective action wherever necessary

ROLE OF THE FACILITATOR Energizes and catalyses the formation of WITs Energizes and catalyses the formation of WITs Trains WIT leaders Trains WIT leaders Coaches and advices the leaders and members e.g. reminds the WIT to take into account organizational and customer needs, and helps the WIT accept feedback positively Coaches and advices the leaders and members e.g. reminds the WIT to take into account organizational and customer needs, and helps the WIT accept feedback positively Acts as a link between the WITs and the Steering Committee – provides feedback to both and coordinates the management presentation Acts as a link between the WITs and the Steering Committee – provides feedback to both and coordinates the management presentation Registers WITs, monitors and reports WITs activities to the Steering committee Registers WITs, monitors and reports WITs activities to the Steering committee

HOW DOES A WIT OPERATE Basic Steps

Step 1 Identify areas to be improved Step 2 Priorities and select areas to be improved Step 3 Collect, examine and Analyze data Step 4 Develop proposals / recommendations Step 5 Communicate Recommendations to management Step 6 Implement Step 7 Monitor and take corrective action