Think Improvement^®:
Problem Analysis and
Participative Decision Making

Cross-Functional Committee Guidelines

Purpose:
Effectively utilize individual employee expertise to advise management on operations improvement

Time Frames
Initial Startup -- Two times for first month
Ongoing Meetings* -- One time per month until project/problem is finished.
Variable Meetings* -- Recommendation by committee to management for additional meetings per month until project/problem is finished

* Committee meetings should not overlap

Membership
Members* -- Volunteers - three to five (desirable), more if interested
Supervisor -- Guest/Facilitator on all committees
Manager -- Guest only

* No individual can serve on more than two committees at any one time

Chairperson
Membership -- A volunteer or elected chairperson of committee
Supervisor -- Does not sit as chairperson

Scribe
Membership -- A volunteer or elected scribe of committee
Supervisor -- Does not sit as scribe

Timekeeper (Optional)
Membership -- A volunteer or elected timekeeper of committee
Supervisor -- Does not sit as timekeeper

Duties

Chairperson
 - Guide committee to project/problem solution
- Prepare/present written solution of project/problem to management
- Responsible for committee focus
- Opens and adjourns committee meetings
- Uses IDEAS® and Problem Analysis and Decision Making Strategies

Scribe
- Takes notes during meetings
- Reads back meeting notes at end of meeting for consensus
- Prepares written expanded notes for review by committee members (within three days of meeting)
- Revises meeting notes when required
- Posts meeting minutes in centralized access area

Timekeeper
- Keeps track of opening/closing time/day of committee meetings
- Keeps committee within established time frames

Supervisor
- Guest and/or helps facilitate when required
- Keeps committee on track

Committee Process
Presentation of topic
Discussion of topic
IDEAS® process
Problem Analysis and Decision Making process

(Back to Core Competencies)

Rev:  02/04/09