1. Level 3 Programme Kick Off session
Mars LCS Level 3 Process
Level 3 Programme Kick Off session
Candidate: xxx
xx 201x

2. Kick Off Session Aims Understand the programme components
Mars LCS Level 3 Process
Kick Off Session Aims
Understand the programme components
Appreciate the approach to developing cases
Know about support mechanisms available
[Start to] plan key timetable dates
Level 3 Programme Kick Off Session

3. Personal Introductions
Level 3 Programme Kick Off Session

4. Confidentiality
All submitted material remains confidential and will not be distributed or communicated in any way outside of the LCS/University
Level 3 Programme Kick Off Session

5. LCS Introduction

6. Lean Competency System Accreditation
The LCS
For organisations
For individuals
LCS
Accreditation
Certification
Community
For ongoing learning & professional development
Level 3 Programme Kick Off Session

8. LCS Levels Seven levels of competency
Covering shop floor/front line to senior managers
Fundamental to Strategic 3b 3a 2b 2a 1c 1b 1a
Competency has 2 dimensions: knowledge & application.
Both have to be demonstrated.
Level 3 Programme Kick Off Session

9. LCS Approach to Lean Holistic, eclectic definition of lean
Lean = delivering appropriate customer and stakeholder value with the minimum of resources.
Level 3 Programme Kick Off Session

10. Lean Competency System Accreditation
Level 3 Introduction

11. L3 Programme Focus Not an academic qualification! Focus on practice
Mature & broad lean knowledge implicit
Focus on leadership
Strategic dimension – enterprise wide
Personal development through:
Critical reflection & review
Self study: reading, researching
Additional learning opportunities
Level 3 Programme Kick Off Session

12. Lean Leadership Competencies
Course Introduction
Lean Leadership Competencies
The ability to think in terms of processes, value streams and systems; knowing how to lead systems.
The ability to problem solve, understand variability and waste
Understanding how we learn, develop and improve; leading learning & improvement
Understanding the behaviour of people
Giving vision, focus and direction to the organisation
Adapted from Scholtes, 1998
Level 3 Programme Kick Off Session
Leadership & Strategy Programme

13. Gaining Level 3 A candidate provides evidence that demonstrates:
Significant experience in designing, leading, implementing lean strategies/ transformations/ programmes
A progressive and mature understanding of lean thinking and related improvement philosophies and their associated tools and techniques.
Level 3 Programme Kick Off Session

14. L3 Focus Critical Thinking & Reflection
Candidate encouraged to:
Be constructively critical
Be challenging
Be provocative
Ask awkward questions
Offer opinions for future strategies, approaches
Level 3 Programme Kick Off Session

15. Critical Thinking Skills
1. Knowledge
Identification & recall of information
List…identify…name…recall
Who, what, when, where?
2. Comprehension
Organisation & selection of facts & ideas
Convert…interpret…explain…retell
What is the main idea of…?
3. Application
Use of facts, rules & principles
Apply…solve…operate…conclude
Why is x significant?
4. Analysis
Separating a whole into component parts
Analyse…examine…deduct…specify
What evidence can you present for..?
5. Synthesis
Combining ideas to form a new whole
Construct…formulate…predict…suggest
What would/predict, infer from..?
6. Evaluation
Developing opinions, judgements & decisions
Appraise…judge…compare…opinion
How would you decide about…?
Level 3 Programme Kick Off Session
Ref: Bloom’s Taxonomy

16. Level 3 thinking: Critical Thinking & Reflection
“Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skilfully conceptualizing, applying, analysing, synthesising, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action.”
Critical Thinking
Interpretation
Analysis
Evaluation
Inference
Explanation
Self Regulation
Level 3 Programme Kick Off Session

17. What happened (describe the experience)?
Critical Reflection
What happened (describe the experience)?
Why /how did it happen? What factors contributed? How do you feel about it?
What is your new interpretation of the experience? What is the significance? What did you learn about yourself and others?
What will you do as a result of this experience? How will you use it to inform your future?
Level 3 Programme Kick Off Session

18. Lean Competency System Accreditation
Overall L3 Process & Components
Overall process
Case studies
Assignment
Panel

19. Components Experience - Employment history (app form)
Implementation case studies x3
Assignment
Panel Presentation
Level 3 Programme Kick Off Session

20. LCS overall assessment; certificate awarded
Mars LCS Level 3 Process
L3 Process Summary
Kick off Session
Submission starts
Support, coaching, guidance provided by Level 3 Advisors
Fixed milestone group sessions
Ad hoc support ( , phone)
Use of web for cost/time effective communications
LCS web based resource centre
Web discussion forum (closed)
Additional learning opportunities
Cases x3
Assignment
Panel presentation
LCS overall assessment; certificate awarded
Level 3 Programme Kick Off Session

21. Case Studies
Three cases of lean implementation projects, initiatives, programmes
Strategic and/or transformational in nature:
“Relating to the identification of long-term or overall aims and interests and the means of achieving them”
“The plans made or the actions taken in an effort to help the organisation fulfil its intended purpose“
Purpose -> outlined by the organisations mission / objectives.
As opposed to TACTICAL: short term, less important/size
Cases discussion later in session
Level 3 Programme Kick Off Session

22. Level 3 Assignment
Aim: to formally assess the depth of lean/CI knowledge of the candidate
Method: a 4,000 word written assignment
Demonstrate critical analysis & thinking
Personal perspective on lean
Focus on one key aspect or issue
Background reading & research required
Guidance provided on approach, format, method etc
Level 3 Programme Kick Off Session

23. Assignment Question
Will relate to the evolution and development of lean thinking and the impact of this on an organisation's lean strategy and lean leadership.
Level 3 Programme Kick Off Session

24. Panel Presentation Combines knowledge & practice elements
LCS panel members
Academics, practitioners, company rep
Opportunity to showcase knowledge
30 minute presentation
Questions on presentation
Physical meeting preferable
Level 3 Programme Kick Off Session

25. Panel Session Purpose
Enable candidate to bring together the two major elements of the assessment and consider their impact on future organisational lean strategy and personal lean approach.
Knowledge
Practice
Level 3 Programme Kick Off Session

26. Case Studies

27. Case Studies Case study advisor: xxx Selection Strategic Focus
Expectations
Lean nature
Structure
Writing the case
Assessment
Support & Review
Proposals Form
Discussion
Case study advisor: xxx
SUPPORTING RESOURCES
Guides, documents on web
Group interaction
Facilitator advice & feedback
Level 3 Programme Kick Off Session

28. Selecting Your Three Cases
First step - complete case study proposal form
Criteria
Strategic transformation – see below
No date constraint – but data accessibility
Clear learning opportunity
Linkage to career path (ref application form)
Developmental aspect
Experiential aspect
Linkage of cases optional
Level 3 Programme Kick Off Session

29. Strategic/Transformational Focus
Case focus: design, implement, sustain major system improvements, initiatives
Organisation, division/dept/group, extended enterprise
Role: significant management/leadership
Design, planning, managing people, communication, engagement, coordination, accountability, etc.
The project should have key strategic linkage & impact
aligned to organisational objectives, strategy, KPI’s
Level 3 Programme Kick Off Session

30. Case Expectations Demonstrates candidates own competency
‘Projects’ at a strategic/transformational level
Clear rationale for selection
Clear, logical structure
Narrative style – clear story emerges , “warts and all”
Critical thinking & personal reflection
Lessons learned
Knowledge transferable - communication
Level 3 Programme Kick Off Session

31. “Lean” Case
The word ‘lean’ does not have to feature explicitly in the project.
Business, process, operational excellence, CI etc
If the initiative aimed to achieve the following (not necessarily all), then it is suitable, eg:
Systemic transformation
Release/create capacity
Enhance, add value for customers, reduce waste
Improve throughput/flow, productivity
Improve quality; enhance capability
Level 3 Programme Kick Off Session

32. CRITICAL ANALYSIS & REFLECTION
Case Study Structure
Recommended elements:
Executive Summary
Context, Aims, Role
Method & Approach
Analysis & Outcomes
Conclusions, Reflections & Sustainability,
Endorsement
NB Actual headings used may vary
PDCA cycle
Plan Do
Check
Act
CRITICAL ANALYSIS & REFLECTION
Level 3 Programme Kick Off Session

33. Key Steps in Writing the case
Mars LCS Level 3 Process
Key Steps in Writing the case
What’s behind the case - context?
Core theme, storyline
Main area(s) of focus
Submit proposal(s)
Identify the case, outline proposal
Reports, presentations, A3’s etc
Contact colleagues, project participants
Recording thoughts – eg notes, diagrams, mind-maps*
Gathering information
Key elements included
Ensure logical flow
Contents page can form basic structure
Structuring the case
Create first draft
Turn notes, bullet points into paragraphs, add diagrams etc
Submit draft for review
Writing the report
Take account of comments
Redraft
Proof reading by third party
Submit
Reviewing and redrafting
Level 3 Programme Kick Off Session

34. Level 3 Programme Kick Off Session

35. Writing Key Points Make sure there’s a start – middle – end
Good narrative
flow, storyline
Concise language: minimise padding
Conclusion: logical consequence of what has gone before
Write in the first person if preferred
Include appropriate charts, diagrams etc
Effective communication
Conveys ideas effectively
Supplementary material in appendices
Use Word features (esp headings to create content tables)
About pages in length plus appendices)
Level 3 Programme Kick Off Session

36. Case Assessment Reflects recommended elements: Technical:
Executive Summary, Context, Aims, Role
Method & Approach*
Analysis & Outcomes*
Conclusions, Reflections & Sustainability*
Endorsement
* most important
Technical:
Good structure
Concise writing
Critical reflections
Personal insights & learning
Good use of diagrams
Quality of thinking
Level 3 Programme Kick Off Session

37. Support & Review Proposal form submission & quick feedback
Write a substantial readable draft for initial review
Drafts should be ed as MS Word documents, (not PDF).
One-to-one support reviewing & refining the cases
Written feedback plus group
Aim for 3 stages: initial draft – revised draft - final draft
Resources on group website
Review session TBA
Present case 1
Group scrutiny & discussion
Level 3 Programme Kick Off Session

38. Case Study Discussion Current ideas Why selected? Case background
Particular highlights, issues
Level 3 Programme Kick Off Session

39. Case Proposals Use form x3 Working Titles Summary of cases
With reference to case components
Explain why it qualifies as a L3 case
One page in length
Date TBA
Level 3 Programme Kick Off Session

40. Timetable

41. Timetable: Targets TBA
Identify target finish date: xxx 2018
Cases & assignment completed
Panel in xxx
Sessions introducing each element & reviewing
Physical or web
Action: devise timetable
Level 3 Programme Kick Off Session

42. Timetable - Notes Activities not strictly linear
Parallel activities desirable:
Background reading for assignment can start straight away – see reading list
Panel presentation will be shaped by cases and assignment
Be realistic in setting dates
Holidays, personal etc
Work commitments
Level 3 Programme Kick Off Session

43. Timetable Template 1 Activity Date KO session xxx
Mars LCS Level 3 Process
Timetable Template 1
Activity
Date
KO session
xxx
Case proposals x3 (using form) DRAFT
Feedback on proposals
Develop draft case 1
Submission of draft case 1
Submit case 1
Cases 2 & 3 development (with feedback)
Cases 2 & 3 submission
Assignment briefing session (web)
Level 3 Programme Kick Off Session

44. Timetable Template 2 Activity Date
Assignment development (with feedback)
xxx
Submit assignment
Panel briefing session (web)
Candidate prepares presentations
Panel
Final Candidate Assessment Report issued
Certificate presented
Level 3 Programme Kick Off Session

45. Support & Communications

46. Support & Guidance
Online sessions introducing the different programme elements
Case advisor, assignment advisor
One-to-one support for cases and assignment
Network with other L3 candidates
LCS website private discussion forum
Access to L3 website page with resources, etc
Documentation provided (eg forms, hand outs, guides, articles, papers etc.)
Level 3 Programme Kick Off Session

47. Web Based Resources Dedicated L3 page Articles, reports Links Videos
Forums
Site registration to be completed post session
Initiated by LCS
Level 3 Programme Kick Off Session

48. L3 Resources Page
Password for access: L3p2017
Guides
Presentations
Forms, templates
Level 3 Programme Kick Off Session

49. Actions