September 24, 2019 Sturgeon Electric Shares How Legacy Program can be Ideal Platform for A3 Lean Thinking Approach
For more than three decades, Sturgeon Electric has used its “Rocks in the Road” program as a problem-solving activity to overcome communication and teamwork barriers on projects.
The program fosters early collaboration among various project participants, and everyone is given an equal voice to share past successes that can be leveraged, as well as potential obstacles. Collectively, participants then develop root cause, action plans, and timelines to effect positive change.
Operations Manager George LaClaire has used this proactive planning tool capaciously, witnessing time after time how it aids the strengthening of relationships and delivery of successful projects.
He has been instrumental in expanding its use and acceptance throughout Sturgeon Electric and externally among clients, owners, and other trade partners.
A strong advocate for Sturgeon Electric’s adaptation of Lean practices, George has been an integral part of this cultural shift that has transformed the ways team members perform, communicate, interact, and engage with each other. Lean practices include many tools and methodologies that work to eliminate waste and improve flow efficiencies, with the goal of being better tomorrow than you are today.
One Lean approach is the use of “A3 Thinking,” a structured problem-solving and continuous improvement approach that provides a simple, strict procedure to guide problem-solving. George recognized that Rocks in the Road was an ideal process for implementing A3 thinking.
In late August, George conducted the “Rocks in The Road, An A3 Thinking Experience” workshop hosted by the Lean Construction Institute (LCI) of Colorado at the Association of General Contractors (AGC) of Colorado headquarters in Denver. To attract a multi-disciplinary audience, he invited members of LCI and AGC. The interactive workshop content and format were well-received by the 36 attendees who represented a strong cross-section of construction professionals ranging from architects, owners, general contractors, and mechanical and plumbing trade partners. Two LCI representatives also attended and are working with George to further develop Rocks in the Road as an approved LCI offering that can be distributed to various LCI communities of practice.
AS AN EDUCATOR, I FOUND THIS TO BE A GREAT HANDS-ON LEARNING EXPERIENCE SHOWING HOW TO ENGAGE PEOPLE IN COLLABORATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING. GEORGE ENTHUSIASTICALLY LED THE WORKSHOP KEEPING THE PARTICIPANTS ACTIVE IN LEARNING. THIS WORKSHOP PROVES THAT PROBLEM-SOLVING CAN BE FUN AND PRODUCTIVE.
KRISTIN HILL, DIRECTOR, EDUCATION PROGRAMS, LEAN CONSTRUCTION INSTITUTE (LCI)
THE COLLABORATIVE ASPECT IS FANTASTIC. IT WAS GREAT TO SEE MANY DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS COME TOGETHER TO PROVIDE VARYING PERSPECTIVES, SOLVE PROBLEMS, AND SHARE SUCCESSES. I’VE STARTED USING ROCKS IN THE ROAD IN MY OWN ORGANIZATION AND CAN ALREADY SEE THAT IT IS AN EFFECTIVE TOOL THAT WILL HELP US IMPLEMENT BETTER PROCESSES AND IMPACT POSITIVE CHANGE.
ALEX HESSE, STRUCTURAL ENGINEER, KL&A STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS
