1.

Name 5 factors that can influence continuous improvement within an organization. a. Training and Development b. Effective usage of finance c. Effective management d. Skilled workforce e. Infrastructure of appropriate manner

2.

List 5 barriers to productivity improvement within an organization. a. Lack of commitment/motivation b. Unskilled workforce c. Inappropriate budgeting d. Improper communication e. Lack of cooperation

3.

What is a supply chain? A supply chain is a system of organizations, people, technology, activities, information and resources involved in moving a product or service from supplier to consumer.

4.

Describe the potential impacts of a loosely coupled system on the cooperative culture of the organization. The potential impacts of a loosely coupled system on the cooperative culture include the following: a. The emerging contradictions will lead to cracks surfacing upon the structure of the organization. b. There are chances of cutbacks, facing a shortage of resources and unsatisfied stakeholders. c. Excessive fragmentation of the organizational system as a whole d. Rate limiting factors and constraints develop over periods of time and affect the system as a whole

5.

Fill in the table below by writing in the term from the word list that best fits the description. Word list Buy in, Catalyst, Effectiveness, Improvement, Innovation, Kaizen, Outsourcing, Productivity, Quality Circles, Transition DEFINITION a. A measure of the extent to which a planned action meets its objectives, cost not being a consideration Effectiveness b. A Japanese business improvement philosophy of continuous and incremental improvement Kaizen c. A term describing the engagement, commitment or interest of various stakeholders in a project, idea or decision Buy in

d. A comparative measure of the value of outputs and inputs Improvement e. An idea that is usable and has value Innovation

6.

Name 5 ways the external environment can affect an organization. a. Competition b. Customers c. Resources d. Technology e. Laws & Regulation

7.

Write two examples of performance measures in each of the following categories a. Cost: 1. Unit cost of production b. Quality: 1. Error rates c. Time: 1. Delivery time 2. Profit per unit sold 2. Wastage 2. Internal paperwork process

8.

What are the 5 features of a learning organization? a. Knowledge generation and sharing b. Critical systematic thinking c. Learning Culture d. Encourage flexibility and experimentation e. Valuing employees

9.

Name 4 methods of analyzing risk associated with innovation and continuous improvement? a. Proper identification of potential negative events. b. Minimize the likelihood of the negative event c. Make plans to mitigate the consequences of the negative events of they occur d. Incase to too many negative events, prioritize different risk factors in order to solve them.

10. Choose as many of the options below that apply. Cost benefit analysis should be considered in the innovation process because: a. It provides a standardized way of considering the options associated with the idea b. It shows which ideas are viable c. Most people have negative feelings about change d. It will make your ideas easy to sell to stakeholders

11. How can a gap analysis be used to test whether an organization has an existing creative culture? The GAP analysis process allows any organization to collect information about the current state of affairs and also enables to articulate a desired end state and the areas for development. This is done on the basis of four key leverage areas i.e. Representation, Learning, Trust and Accountability. Representation refers to the ability of an organization to attract and retain talented staff that offer different perspectives and opinions. Secondly comes in learning where it refers to the ability and the willingness of the of the staff to learn from one another and fully capitalize on diverse perspectives. Thirdly comes trust which refers to the quality of the relationships in an organization, in order to innovation or a creative culture to exist in an organization relations built upon trust must exist and structures that support trust building must be available. Finally it is accountability, it refers to the organizations ability to accomplish and sustain its commitments. That being said, management support is critical and the ability of all staff to demonstrate their commitment is critical. Thus based upon these four vital areas one can use gap analysis to find out if and organization has an existing creative culture or not.

12. What information should be communicated to stakeholders to obtain approval for a proposed change management process? Information that is meant to be communicated depends upon the kinds of stakeholder. Information should be communicated based on understanding who needs what information and how often they need it. There will always be stakeholders who support and stakeholders who oppose, steps should be taken in order to maintain the support and win over who oppose.

13. Name 5 of the key messages that should be communicated to promote continuous improvement as an essential part of doing business. a. Brief groups on performance improvement strategies and innovation as an important element of competition. b. Foster creative climate by promoting interactivity among different work groups. c. Encourage, test and recognize new business ideas as and when they are successful. d. Undertake risk management and cost benefit analysis for each idea approved for trial. e. Approve innovations through agreed organizational processes.

14. Define the term transition. Transition is defined as change, which happens from either one point to another, one stage to another or even one concept to another.

15. Explain the importance of transition to implementation of continuous improvement and innovation. Transition is an important part of continuous improvement and innovation. Continuous improvement and innovation in other terms stand for change and transition. Successful implementation of change requires a well-orchestrated and well led change strategy and a transition plan that would lead to successful transformation or a metamorphosis to the desired state in which there is a deep seated adoption of the changes that reinforce a journey of continuous improvement.

16. What is the importance of a contingency plan? A contingency plan allows to deal with known risks with more confidence. Contingency plans prevent the panic mode as it incorporates risks into the schedule before hand.

17. What principles are important to keep in mind when gathering evidence and information to evaluate continuous improvement systems and processes? a. Good information about the environment from a variety of sources to evaluate the outcomes and processes. b. The ability to pull together people from different levels and freely discusses the issues. c. Systematic ways to measure the progress and outcomes. d. A real desire to do it even if it means doing things out of norm.

18. Name 5 methods that could be used to monitor and evaluate a continuous improvement process? a. Employee suggestions b. Brainstorming c. Delphi decision making process d. Dielectric decision making process e. Pareto Decision making process

19. What organizational characteristics are likely to enhance innovation? a. Deliver a systematic and extensive literature review relevant to innovate people.

b. Synthesize research, concepts and understanding in the area of individual innovators across all sectors. c. Develop a new integrative and unified framework to understand the characteristics and behaviors of innovative people in the organization. d. Review interventions at the individual, group and organizational level of analysis designed to enhance innovative working in organization in consultation with stakeholders.

20. What organizational characteristics are likely to inhibit innovation? a. Behavior of individuals Availability of change agents promotes innovation internal or external individuals willing and able to drive innovation. Secondly is the willingness to change and under these come the tolerance to ambiguity and uncertainty in the business environment ensures that the organization is receptive to innovation. b. Internal characteristics of organization Centralization and formalization inhibits initiation of change along with positive organization culture encompassing participation, freedom of expression and demanding performance standards promote innovation. c. Organizational strategy A well-defined vision contributes towards the quality of the innovation and wellestablished norms for innovation promotes quantity of innovation.