Toyota have developed this into a core principle that has led them to a successful improvement culture. Mike Rother & Jeffery Liker have a good handle on this topic
It’s not unique to scientists but something that everyone can participate in regardless of your skill or education or ability. It engages people in every part of your organisation and produces sustainable improvement results.
Here are 5 aspects to help you implement scientific thinking in your organisation:
1.Prioritise problem solving.
Make this part of everyday life, not a bolt on approach. Equip team members to be problem solvers, through training, coaching and applying what they’ve learnt as they go about their day-to-day tasks. There must be a psychologically safe environment to enable this.
2.As leaders be responsive.
If you’re empowering your people to solve problems as they go about their day-to-day tasks, then help them with prompt support. When a team member identifies a problem and calls for help, as a leader, be responsive and meet them at the gemba to discuss it as soon as possible.
3.Respectful challenge.
Next, respectfully challenge their theory, that’s based on their evidence. Respectful challenge
is where we debate the merit of the evidence never the person who gathers it. Your questions are meant to get them to think about their theory on what’s happening. Don’t dismiss their findings because it’s based on their observations and their assessment. This avoids jumping to conclusions but also allows them to gather more evidence to support or disprove their theory.
4.What’s the action.
If then the team member has settled on root cause it’s time for action. Always respond with,
“what do you think you should do”. Toyota takes the approach by using the term countermeasure rather than the term solution. They discovered long ago that the answer to a problem may not be the final answer.
5.Monitor the result.
Since the team member has implemented or facilitated the implementation of the countermeasure, allow them to follow up and check the outcome to determine if the action has been effective. Follow this through by having the team member share with others
their learnings. Present the findings not only to other teams but also senior leaders.
I’m confident by applying these tips, you’ll be on the path towards a successful improvement culture.