fast, Fast, FAST

One question that comes up frequently is, "We don't have any time. How can I make this a quick, yet thorough, process?"

When there is no structured problem solving process, everytime a problem occurs the problem solver has to figure out what to do and how to communicate the solution (if they even really solved it). Each problem resolution is a work of art which may or may not be shared / leveraged. Yeuw, what a time suck!

To make the process faster, you need a structured standardized process that includes investigation, interim countermeasures, root cause analysis and permanent countermeasures and the actions that need to take place. This requires management re-enforcement to get folks to use any process, let alone a process where folks have previously had complete freedom. Problem Solving does not conform to a "Field of Dreams" (1989) scenario, where "If you build it, they will come." Its closer to, "If it is required by management then resistance is futile."

Once you get past the whining and moaning, the questions in the process begin to seep into corporate culture. So instead of being told that, "XXXX is broken," you'll hear, "This is what's actually happening and this is what should be happening." By stating the problem clearly, in a standard pattern, folks can get moving faster and it becomes easier (not to mention faster, but then I'd be overusing the word faster) to get others up to speed and focused on the problem at hand.

Is that fast enough for you?

Rufus Update

Rufus the office canine is getting his every six weeks or so beauty treatment. His eyes are almost hidden beneath his curly locks and he smells ever so slightly of swamp water / damp dog. His dreadlocks take a couple of days to dry completely, so he'll spend the rest of today under towels.