In the Lean Business Culture, we talk about having ideas for improvement, testing them, and then implementing the ones that work. So, how do we get GOOD ideas? After all, some ideas are (shall we say) ”not-so-good.” I’ve had plenty of “not-so-good” ideas. You can probably say the same.
How do we get GOOD ones? Here are a few thoughts:
- I recommend that each team of workers has an “idea list” on a white-board. As team-members have ideas, they write them on the list. When ideas come up in conversation, write them on the list. Give team members permission to stop work briefly if they have an idea and write it on the list.
- Once there are several ideas on the board, the team should decide (perhaps through a vote) which idea to try out next. The more ideas that are on the list, the more likely the team can select a good one to try out.
- Not all ideas have to be successful. It may take a few tries to find one that makes our work go better.
- Here’s a good slogan to keep in mind: “The way to have good ideas is to have lots of ideas, pick the best ones, and get them done.”
- Make it clear that ideas don’t have to be good to go on the list. Sometimes, a not-so-good-idea inspires someone else to have a great one.here’s another slogan that one of my clients heard at a conference the first idea is the worst idea but it’s also the most important idea because it gets the other ideas flowing the essence of Lena’s mobilizing the mental ability and creativity of everyone to continuously improve The team will decide whether an idea should be tried. Urge team members to be humble as they put ideas on the list. It may take 2 or 4 or 6 ideas on the list to get a GOOD one. The team does a better job if there are many ideas to choose from.
- Here’s another slogan that one of my clients heard at a conference, “The first idea is the worst idea, but it’s the most IMPORTANT idea because it gets other ideas flowing.”
The essence of Lean is mobilizing the mental ability and creativity of EVERYONE to continuously improve. A healthy the flow of ideas (including not-so-good ones) is the lifeblood of continuous improvement.