Gartman
& Associates provides training and follow-on
consulting that is customized for the customer's activity. A variety of teaching methods are employed
including the use of videos, workshops, small group discussions and activities,
lectures, and case studies using the organization's own processes.
Our approach to quality improvement is
based primarily on the teachings of Dr. W. Edwards Deming; however, other
approaches are discussed and applied where beneficial.
We work with customers through the entire
total quality transformation process. We
recommend that all training be provided on a just-in-time basis and that the
unit's leadership be provided quality philosophy and orientation training prior
to training others in the unit. After
obtaining the leadership's commitment,
we proceed with the changes necessary to move toward quality
improvement. If the organization does
not have a strategic plan, we recommend
that one be developed. We provide
facilitation to produce a plan
that will help the total organization focus on its mission and vision. We
believe organizations without a clear understanding of their mission and
without a shared vision lack the sense of direction and shared commitment to
successfully accomplish the quality transformation in a reasonable amount
of time.
The deployment of training within an organization should be from the top down. All middle managers must receive training in the concepts of
quality and may require training in
teamwork before the
transformation can proceed. The
organization to support the quality effort must be established at the time the
middle level is trained. Also,
facilitators should be trained at this time so they will be ready to assist the
initial process improvement team efforts.
Quality training should then be
deployed throughout the organization.
For larger units, we recommend a
train-the-trainer approach for the
introductory and basic training in quality improvement. However, we
provide multiple introductory and basic courses, if desired. As a larger population is trained, our role
changes from instructing to monitoring the cultural change occurring within the
organization and providing advice and assistance to the leadership to assure
success.
The transformation to a total quality
organization is a long- term process and we
prefer to develop and maintain long term relationships with our
customers. However, we plan from the beginning to establish a
self-sustaining effort where our services
will not be needed within a reasonable time. Nonetheless, many of our
customers continue to use our services for strategic planning and just-in-time
training for new groups.
We do not provide a course in
organizational structures. During our
initial training, we provide information
and assistance in establishing a quality structure within the organization to
assist and sustain the transformation.
Additionally, we are experienced in process reengineering using process mapping and quality management tools. We provide six sigma training and project management training to those organizations that have moved forward in the quality transformation.
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