1. Black Belt Project Storyboard Template Can be used in combination with Black Belt Storyboard Submission Guide
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2. Storyboard: The 5 Tenets
Tell Your Story Succinctly
Use a maximum of 25 Slides (plus a title page) to describe your project (Appendix 10 slides max)
Make sure the flow of the project story is logical
Clearly illustrate your analysis and how solutions/countermeasures address the root causes
Let visuals (graphs, charts, maps, pictures etc.) do most of the work
Add a “Key Take Away” to each slide to make it clear to the reader what you learned at each step
Use the Tools Wisely
Show that you understand the DMAIC method by selecting the right tools for the right reasons during each Phase
Label Your Graphs Clearly
List the metric name, the time frame and the axes names/units for each chart (along with the “Key Take Away”)
Show the Improvement in Full
Make accomplishments clear – list each measureable waste reduction, savings, margin increase, cycle time reduction, increase in customer satisfaction, etc.
Use the Appendix for Overflow
Include up to 10 slides for visuals that may help readers who would like more background on your project, and Include a “Key Take Away” for every slide in the Appendix

3. Executive Summary Questions & Activities to Address:
Use the Executive Summary template to create a one-page summary of the project that includes
Business Case: Explain the reason the project matters to the organization
Root Cause Analysis: Describe project discoveries
Solutions Implemented: List the countermeasures used for root causes
Project Results: List the project savings, gains, cost avoidance, cycle time reduction, customer satisfaction, etc.
Graphical Display of Improvement: Provide a visual that proves you made a positive difference in the process
* See Bahama Bistro Sample Storyboard in Project Submission Guide

4. Key Words (Specific To Your Industry)
List all words and acronyms that are specific to your industry and key to understanding your project
Provide a brief description or definition of each term
List in alphabetical order
Keep in mind that this document will be viewed by those who are not in your industry or familiar with your process or industry

5. Questions & Activities to Address:
Define Phase
Questions & Activities to Address:
How and why the project was selected?
Who was the customer and what did they require?
Was the process data or process driven?
What kind of map did you use (Swimlane, Value Stream, etc.)
Did you complete an 8 Wastes assessment of the process?
Did you complete a 5S Assessment (or in the Improve Phase)?

6. Define Phase - Bahama Bistro*

7. Define Phase Tollgate
Verify the project has a Champion/Sponsor and leadership backing
Get approval from a finance partner for the potential savings or projected revenue
Complete the elements of the Project Charter
Collect the Voice of the Customer and uncover any unknown requirements
Make customer requirements measurable
Create a high-level map of the process
Facilitate a team a Process Walk
Develop and verify a detailed map of the process
Conduct Stakeholder Analysis and develop an influence and Communication Plan

8. Define Phase Storyboard Deliverables
Project Charter (T) - use Goal Statement Builder (T) for proper format
Voice of the Customer Translation Matrix (T)
Make sure the customer requirements are specific and measurable (remember SMART goals)
SIPOC (T)
Detailed “As Is” Map
Swimlane (T)
Value Stream (T)
Flow Map (generic process map)
Spaghetti Map (T)
*See the Black Belt Storyboard Checklist for what to include in the Storyboard along with both Green and Black Belt reference slides

9. Questions & Activities to Address:
Measure Phase
Questions & Activities to Address:
What was the approach to Data Collection? (Who measured, when, for how long?)
What was the approach taken to validate that data collection method produces accurate results? (Measurement Systems Analysis?)
What is the understanding of the process baseline(s) measures and what is the gap between the baseline and the goal?
What were the results of the Process Walk?
What is the understanding of the potential issues?

10. Measure Phase - Bahama Bistro

11. Measure Phase Tollgate
Select Baseline Measurements
Develop a Data Collection Plan with Operational Definitions, stratification factors and checksheets if needed
Develop a Sampling Plan and calculate data needs
Conduct Measurement Systems Analysis
Collect Baseline Data
Determine Process Capability
Update Project Charter and inform Stakeholders

12. Measure Phase Storyboard Deliverables
Data Collection Plan (T)
Show sample size calculation if using samples
Measurement Systems Analysis (T)
If not running an MSA, please explain why it’s not needed
Baseline Data Display – include one or more of the following:
Histogram
Run Chart
Pareto Chart
Spaghetti Map (T)
*See the Black Belt Storyboard Checklist for what to include in the Storyboard along with both Green and Black Belt reference slides

13. Questions & Activities to Address:
Analyze
Questions & Activities to Address:
What was the approach to process and data analysis along with key insights?
Provide the list of prioritized root causes (critical Xs and their impact on Y or primary metric)
Illustrate the path to uncovering and verifying root cause(s)
What are the Hypothesis Statements – Null and Alternative?
What were the results of Hypothesis Testing?
Were there any Quick Wins and if so what were the results?

14. Analyze Phase - Bahama Bistro

15. Analyze Tollgate Checklist
Conduct Value and Cycle Time Analysis of the process to identify opportunities to reduce waste
Identify root causes using data analysis, process maps, Five Whys and Fishbone Diagrams
Develop a Root Cause Hypothesis and formal hypothesis statements
Collect data to run statistical tests and prove or disprove Root Cause Hypotheses
Check if the team has enough confidence in the analysis to move to the Improve Phase
Update the Project Charter and inform Stakeholders

16. Analyze Phase Storyboard Deliverables
Fishbone Diagram (T)
Include 5 (T) Whys to show root cause analysis
Project Specific Map – (show process discoveries)
Value-Added Flow Analysis (T) - especially if cycle time project
All maps listed in Define Phase
Null & Alternative Hypothesis Statements
Hypothesis Testing Plan (T)
Hypothesis Test Results
Includes Regression if used
*See the Black Belt Storyboard Checklist for what to include in the Storyboard along with both Green and Black Belt reference slides

17. Questions & Activities to Address:
Improve
Questions & Activities to Address:
Provide a list of improvements made and to-be made
Describe the approach to prioritizing and selecting solutions that eliminated root causes
Barriers and efforts to overcome them
Mistake-proofing and other risk management methods employed
Pilot results and changes made to solutions
Describe the Implementation Plan
Show the proof of improvement

18. Improve Phase - Bahama Bistro

19. Improve Tollgate Checklist
Use team brainstorming to generate solutions to address the root cause
Run a pilot of the solutions if needed
Create a Design of Experiments where appropriate
Assess and mitigate risk of process changes
Implement solutions to address root cause
Confirm that implemented solutions sufficiently affect the output Y
Celebrate with the team and recognize them for their efforts

20. Improve Phase Storyboard Deliverables
List of Improvements
Use the Impact Effort Matrix (T) or other ranking tool
Implementation Plan (T)
Can show results of DOE, Pilot or other action steps
Risk Management Plan
FMEA (T) or description of Mistake Proofing
“To-Be” Map – (show improvements)
Swimlane Map (T)
Value Stream Map (T)
Process Flow Map
Spaghetti Map (T)
*See the Black Belt Storyboard Checklist for what to include in the Storyboard along with both Green and Black Belt reference slides

21. Questions & Activities to Address:
Control
Questions & Activities to Address:
How the project will be monitored and what are the Response Plans?
Who is doing the monitoring, how often and how
Are the Trigger Measures based on Control Charts?
Will there be ongoing 5S inspections?
Describe the Control Plan that ensures the gains are maintained over the long term
What documentation and standardization has been completed regarding the improved process?
What visual management techniques will ensure adoption of process changes? (include pictures where appropriate)
How will you demonstrate improved process performance over baseline?
How has the Process Owner been prepared for hand-off and what is the Communication Plan?
What were the lessons learned?

22. Control - Bahama Bistro

23. Control Tollgate Checklist
Create a system and/or process to monitor results
Utilize Control Charts for ongoing monitoring of the output and key leading indicators
Finalize visual management of the process
Create Response Plans in case there is a drop in performance
Complete the Storyboard of the project
Assess innovation transfer opportunities
Hand over formal ownership to the process owner

24. Control Phase Storyboard Deliverables
Monitoring & Response Plan (T)
Control Chart of Project Y
Final Statement
Innovation Transfer Opportunities (T)
Lessons Learned
*See the Black Belt Storyboard Checklist for what to include in the Storyboard along with both Green and Black Belt reference slides

25. Appendix
Include supporting documentation, process maps and data charts provide evidence of tool applications or helpful project background
Keep to 10 Slides maximum
Add the “Key Take Away” for each slide
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26. Appendix – Bahama Bistro