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    Strategic Choices in Operational Excellence: Standard Courses vs. Bespoke Programmes

    In the realm of Operational Excellence and Lean methodologies, organisations often face the pivotal decision between standard courses and bespoke programmes. Both options offer distinct advantages, and the choice depends on the organisation's goals, scale, and culture. This blog aims to explore the benefits of each offering, providing real-world examples to help improvement leaders make informed decisions for their next transformative initiative.

     

     

    Strategic Choices in Operational Excellence

    The Benefits of Standard Operational Excellence Courses


    Time-Efficient Learning
    Standard courses provide quick access to fundamental principles, making them ideal for organisations looking to initiate a rapid improvement process without extensive customisation.

    Broad Applicability
    These courses cover universal Lean methodologies, ensuring a shared foundation of knowledge among team members. This is particularly beneficial for organisations with diverse operations or those looking to establish a common language.

    Proven Framework
    Standard courses often follow established frameworks and methodologies, providing participants with a well-structured and widely accepted approach to Operational Excellence/Lean principles.

    Cost-Effectiveness
    Standard courses are generally more budget-friendly, making them an attractive option for organisations with limited resources or those aiming for a cost-effective entry point into Operational Excellence.

    Quick Implementation
    Standard Lean courses are readily available, allowing for quick implementation. If the organisation needs to train employees promptly and doesn't have the time or resources for a customised programme, standard courses can be a practical choice.


     

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    Examples of Standard Learning

    Examples of standard Lean courses that Reinvigoration run are our Lean Competency System Training. We also offer certification options from Cardiff University.

    Lean Service Awareness (Level 1a) is a practical 60-minute online course suitable for any professional seeking an introduction to Lean thinking.

    Lean Project Practitioner Course (Level 1b/c) is a three-day practical course that teaches the fundamentals of Lean and how to use the approach to transform service operations. Organisations can run this course for a number of colleagues, and it's also available as an open course for individuals from different organisations and industries. It can be completed as an online course.

    Continuous Improvement Ways of Working (Level 1b/c) is a three-day course which aims to increase the capability of frontline leaders to enable them to drive and sustain the implementation of an OpEx management system in every team. Organisations can run this course for a number of their colleagues, and it's also available as an open course for individuals from different organisations and industries.

    Advanced Improvement Practitioner Course (Level 2A) is a three-day course which develops the key skills and attributes required of a senior, self-starting improvement practitioner. Organisations can run this course for a number of their colleagues, and it's also available as an open course for individuals from different organisations and industries.

    Improvement Programme Leader Course (Level 2B) is a three-day which aims to broaden the perspectives of already experienced improvement professionals, and equip them with a practical approach to designing and managing a widescale improvement programme. Organisations can run this course for a number of their colleagues, and it's also available as an open course for individuals from different organisations and industries.

    Expert Mentoring Programme (Level 3) is suitable for selected Senior Leaders / Executive members, as well as Heads of / Directors of Improvement, looking to gain formal recognition for decades of improvement work and to be seen as strategic Lean leaders.

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    The Benefits of Bespoke Operational Excellence Programmes


    Alignment with Organisational Objectives
    Tailored programmes can be crafted to align with specific organisational goals, ensuring that the improvement initiative directly addresses challenges and opportunities unique to the business.

    Cultural Integration
    Customised programmes can be designed to integrate seamlessly with the organisation's culture, values, and existing processes, promoting a sense of ownership among employees.

    Comprehensive Skill Development
    Bespoke programmes can offer in-depth training, allowing teams to develop a broader range of skills tailored to their roles within the organisation.

    Large-Scale Transformation Initiatives
    For organisations undergoing significant changes, bespoke programmes offer the depth and customisation required to address complex challenges and ensure successful transformation.

    Industry-Specific Needs
    Industries with unique operational requirements can benefit from tailored programmes that address specific challenges and opportunities within that sector.

    Flexibility in Delivery
    Customised programs can be delivered in a way that best suits the organisation, whether through on-site training, online modules, or a combination of both. This flexibility ensures that the training fits into the organisation's schedule and preferences.

    Addresses Organisational Needs
    Learners may be more engaged when the training is customised for their organisation. and programmes focus on addressing the specific pain points or challenges they're currently facing, providing targeted solutions.

    Building OpEx Capability Across the Globe

    Reinvigoration effectively established an Operational Excellence Academy for a global manufacturing organisation facing the challenge of standardising operations across diverse sites. Reinvigoration developed a comprehensive Operations Excellence Learning Curriculum, which was then translated into eight languages, facilitating consistent capability building worldwide. This initiative resulted in improved global Lean maturity, demonstrating the Academy's effectiveness in promoting a standardised approach to Operational Excellence.

    Read the case study

     

    In summary, standard courses offer a cost-effective and quickly implementable solution with a proven framework, while bespoke programmes provide a tailored and in-depth approach that directly addresses the specific needs and challenges of a particular organisation. The choice between them depends on factors such as budget, time constraints, and the organisation's desire for customisation and industry relevance.


    Who? What? Where? When? How to build the right improvement capabilities for your business

    Building capability is business-critical. But there are common challenges Continuous Improvement leaders face when building capabilities across a diverse workforce. These include:

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    • Engaging operational managers and front-line leaders
    • Building CI across hybrid and remote workers
    • Getting buy-in from senior leadership teams
    • Adapting content to diverse learning styles
    • Delivering consistent content across multiple locations and languages


    Our whitepaper addresses these challenges and includes practical solutions and training programmes to help overcome them.

    Download the whitepaper

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    Ryan King

    Ryan is a Managing Partner at Reinvigoration. He has a passion for supporting organisations to define strategies for developing operational excellence enterprisewise. You can get in touch with him directly by Email or connect on LinkedIn.

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