Critical Success Factors:
Steps to Operational Excellence (Op Ex)

Critical Success Factor - Executive Engagement

Visible, consistent support and an active role in communication, participation, recognition and rewards
Assuring linkage of Operational Excellence (Lean Six Sigma problem solving methods) to corporate strategies.
Clear prioritization (relative to other initiatives, programs and business priorities).
Requiring the use of facts and data to support actions at all levels of decision-making.
Creating accountabilities, expectations, roles and responsibilities for the organization.
Conducting and attending regular reviews to assure and verify progress.

Creation and communication of a Human Resources Development plan to support Op Ex (Lean Six Sigma) roles.
Regular written communications on Op Ex news and successes.
Development and dissemination of communication aids to management.
Advocating and creating a "common language" based on Lean Six Sigma methodologies.
Communicating pertinent facts about improvement initiatives in every company meeting.

Establish a documented 1-year project inventory (and refresh regularly).
Assure linkage of projects to critical business and customer needs.
Establish projects of appropriate scope and size (significant savings & achievable).
Assign a Champion and Team Leader to each project (and hold them accountable).
Implement a project tracking system to facilitate replication and reuse.