Create a Learning Path

This article is a continuation of the series based on best practices from the Gemba Academy community:

• Part 1: Don’t let perfect get in the way of good
• Part 2: Create a Learning Path

Reducing Uncertainty with Guided Learning Paths

Lean, for many organizations, involves transformation.  This kind of sweeping change can generate resistance that comes from uncertainty and confusion.  A proven way to reduce uncertainty and confusion is by creating learning paths for everyone in the organization.

This goes beyond telling people how to work differently in the new system. People need to learn why the change is important, and how to succeed within the new system. When organizations set out clear learning paths anchored by outcomes and objectives, this helps everyone move forward with confidence.

Level-Focused Learning Paths

For many years, Gemba Academy has recommended “level-based” learning paths. These were at the Associate, Champion, and Leader levels. They were designed to allow all members of an organization, regardless of position, to start from the Lean Associate path and progress higher if desired.  Team leaders, supervisors, knowledge workers, and continuous improvement specialists would move on to the Lean Champion path. Managers and senior leaders would also complete the Lean Leader path.

The purpose of the Gemba Academy learning path is to improve the organization through the development of people. Learning paths must help people engage in continuous improvement activities, not simply meet a training requirement. This also requires making the paths smaller and more targeted to specific outcomes. With this in mind, we have redesigned our learning paths.

Results-Focused Learning Paths

Gemba Academy learning paths are no longer level-based. Now they are designed around specific outcomes and desired results. Here is a summary of what’s new.

Lean Foundations

This learning path replaces Lean Associate as the starting point. This path prepares the individual to begin practicing continuous improvement from a shared foundation in Lean thinking and problem-solving principles. The target audience includes all members of the organization, and there is no prerequisite.

The content has been significantly streamlined and focused.  The topics covered are:

• Understanding Lean foundations
• Finding and Eliminating Waste
• Observing processes in detail
• Simplifying structured problem-solving
• Improving your own work area

The specific video lessons include Dealing with the 7 Deadly Wastes, How to Create Process Charts, PDCA, 3C Problem-Solving, and 5S Workplace Productivity.

Leading Continuous Improvement

This learning path replaces Lean Champion, and prepares the individual to lead small teams and small groups in improvement projects to help meet their organization’s priorities. The target audience includes team leaders, supervisors, knowledge workers, engineers, and aspiring continuous improvement specialists. Completion of Lean Foundations or equivalent is the prerequisite.

The content has been updated and enriched, covering topics including:

• Comparing improvement techniques
• Visualizing the problem-solving process
• Following a structured problem-solving process
• Clarifying the problem
• Mapping the current state of a value stream
• Designing the future state of a value stream
• Focusing improvement on the constraint
• Following the 4-step method of improvement
• Using facilitation techniques to lead improvement teams

These specific video lessons include select modules from Improvement Techniques, A3 Thinking, Practical Problem-Solving, The Problem Statement, Transforming Your Value Streams, Theory of Constraints (TOC), Job Methods (JM) for Facilitators, and the Facilitation course.

Leading Lean Operations

This learning path equips the individual to align improvement efforts with daily operations and nurture high-performance teams. The target audience includes team leaders, group leaders, supervisors, managers, senior leaders, and any heads of operations. The prerequisite is completion of both the Lean Foundation and the Leading Continuous Improvement learning paths, or equivalent.

The content is focused on managing daily operations in a Lean way, while supporting CI efforts. topics include:

• Integrating improvement with daily operations
• Forming and leading high-performance teams
• Understanding the human side of continuous improvement
• Making time for improvement within each day
• Establishing visual controls for daily management
• Establishing a process for daily accountability
• Leading CI from the front lines each day
• Staying organized as a Lean operations leader

The specific video lessons include select modules from Daily Management Systems, Leading Teams, Culture of Kaizen, Leader Standard Work Essentials, Visual Management, Daily Accountability Process, Gemba Walk Essentials, and a visit with Lean leader and a Tour of Alen’s Office.

Linking Every Lesson with Practical Application

A good learning path requires learning both new concepts and methods and the practical applications of them. Experiential learning builds capability and confidence. Each step of the learning path must have a moment to pause, reflect, and try out new ideas in the workplace, before progressing to the next lesson.

Every topic combines a lesson with practical application. Some learn-and-do exercises may take a few minutes, such as answering a self-assessment questionnaire, while others may require hours or days, such as mapping out a workflow.

When modifying a learning path or creating your own, we must link both the lesson and the practical exercise to the desired outcome.

New Learning Paths to Support Our Customers’ Success 

Including the three above, we are rolling out these new, outcome-focused learning paths immediately:

• Lean Foundations
• Standardized Work for Manufacturing
• Leading Continuous Improvement
• Lean Office
• Quality Systems & Culture
• Lean Coaching
• Leading Lean Operations

Each of these targets a specific capability or outcome linked to lessons and guided application. And we are working on more than a dozen additional paths, based on customer feedback.

Leveling Up People, Capabilities, & Careers through Certifications 

We continue to support leveling up and credential building through our certification programs. These include the Lean Practitioner, the Lean Leader, and the Six Sigma Belt programs (White, Yellow, Green, Black, Master Black Belt).

Learning Paths FAQ

Can I change the learning paths?

Yes, the learning paths may certainly be changed to meet your needs.  In fact, you’re encouraged to customize learning paths to best serve your customer and organization.

What happens when I complete the learning path?

The completion of a learning path is tracked in our Learning Management System (LMS). We issue certificates of completion for each completed learning path. Learning paths can be stacked up toward the future completion of many of our certification programs, such as the Lean Practitioner, Lean Leader, or Six Sigma Black Belt, among others.

The pursuit of continuous improvement is never-ending. Our learning paths provide waypoints to plan your progress. There is always the next path to explore on your learning journey.

What if I need clarification on some of the details of the learning paths?

We’re here to help! Contact Gemba Academy to get started with creating, customizing, or following our proven learning paths today!

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