Mission:
“The Vivarium Operational Excellence Network enables institutions to achieve efficiency, empower teams, and develop a respectful Continuous Improvement culture.”
Welcome!
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The Vivarium Operational Excellence Network is a consortium of biomedical research organizations committed to advancing the quest for cures and therapies for disease through the use of proven continuous improvement techniques.
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New Content!
"Building a Culture of Quality at ENVIGO"
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Members-Only Webinar:
How did ENVIGO develop a structured approach to achieve a singular company purpose: "Quality"? This webinar will walk you through their journey and provide you with tangible examples of how a focus on quality yields exponential ancillary gains to cost and employee morale. Navigate to the members-only "Webinars" tab... |
Inaugural VOE-Network Analytics Conference
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Another VOE-Network "First"
In January, presenters from 10 biomedical research organizations shared their approaches to data analytics at the first ever Analytics Conference at MGH in Boston. Presentations and demonstrations were shared by: Harvard University FAS University of Michigan Georgia State University West Virginia University New York University Johns Hopkins University Yale University Lab Animal Consultants Tecniplast Massachusetts General Hospital To view the entire session or to view the presentations, click here: www.voenetwork.com/analytics.html |
Boston University Gemba Visit
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"Go and See"
Members of the Boston University leadership team paid a Gemba visit to MGH to compare ideas on building a CI program. More future visits are planned to share ideas and for assistance. If you are a VOE-Network member and you are interested in arranging a site visit of other members' programs, complete the site visit request form using the link below: www.voenetwork.com/request-a-facility-tour.html |
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What can the Biomedical Research Community Learn From Amazon and Whole Foods?
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Submitted by Bobby Lania, Sr. Financial Analyst, MGH CCM
"The beatings will continue until morale improves..." What sounds like locker-room banter can become reality when misguided "Lean" concepts are mandated and forced-fit with a sledgehammer. Whole Foods has been developing a new replenishment paradigm for many months, however, it has had some unanticipated repercussions to customer service and employee morale. If these headlines about new Whole Foods replenishment systems don't give you the chills, it's time to re-think your definition of what Lean management IS NOT: ‘Seeing someone cry at work is becoming normal': Employees say Whole Foods is using ‘scorecards' to punish them"and ‘Entire aisles are empty': Whole Foods employees reveal why stores are facing a crisis of food shortages It appears that Whole Foods has joined the ranks of business case-studies that address the flawed roll-out of an unproven system. In this case, both customers and staff suffer. As our community discovers how to best adapt Continuous Improvement tools and culture, it's always good to recognize what Lean Management "Isn't". |
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Scenes from the VOE-Network Pre-AALAS Short Course
Developing Process Flow Mappers.
Every process has a flow and Process Flow Maps enable everyone to a) have input and ownership, b) "see" the steps as they unfold and c) agree upon opportunities for improvement. In this session, vivarium leaders from 17 institutions and from 3 countries mapped out real-life scenarios to experience the dynamics of mapping a complex, multi-stakeholder process in a team setting. The teams were able to successfully identify opportunities to eliminate steps that would lead to a smoother, more efficient process. The final step in the exercise was for students to understand the impact of the "before" condition and the "after" condition to employee's time and to operational cost. All attendees gained new skills and tricks to map out a process (even when members of the team are actively disengaged).
Every process has a flow and Process Flow Maps enable everyone to a) have input and ownership, b) "see" the steps as they unfold and c) agree upon opportunities for improvement. In this session, vivarium leaders from 17 institutions and from 3 countries mapped out real-life scenarios to experience the dynamics of mapping a complex, multi-stakeholder process in a team setting. The teams were able to successfully identify opportunities to eliminate steps that would lead to a smoother, more efficient process. The final step in the exercise was for students to understand the impact of the "before" condition and the "after" condition to employee's time and to operational cost. All attendees gained new skills and tricks to map out a process (even when members of the team are actively disengaged).
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Developing Workplace Organizational Heros.
Workplace "Dis-Organization" causes exhaustive chaos for our workers and robs us of the precious minutes we need to add meaningful value to the customers we serve. Once the students of the VOE-Network Short Course mapped their processes (above) they were able to identify areas where significant time was lost due to workplace dis-organization. In this simulation, the students experienced first-hand the perils of workplace dis-organization especially when their lives rely on the success of a process. Using the 5S methodology, students identified dozens of improvements that reversed the outcome of a process from a catastrophic and morbid experience to heroic and bullet-proof results. This hilarious exercise provided the students with new insights of the insidious effects of the 8-Wastes in everyday work. Together they used the simple, yet powerful 5S method to ensure successful outcomes through employee creativity.
Workplace "Dis-Organization" causes exhaustive chaos for our workers and robs us of the precious minutes we need to add meaningful value to the customers we serve. Once the students of the VOE-Network Short Course mapped their processes (above) they were able to identify areas where significant time was lost due to workplace dis-organization. In this simulation, the students experienced first-hand the perils of workplace dis-organization especially when their lives rely on the success of a process. Using the 5S methodology, students identified dozens of improvements that reversed the outcome of a process from a catastrophic and morbid experience to heroic and bullet-proof results. This hilarious exercise provided the students with new insights of the insidious effects of the 8-Wastes in everyday work. Together they used the simple, yet powerful 5S method to ensure successful outcomes through employee creativity.
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Vivarium Staff Receives Highest Institutional Awards!
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Congratulations to the 2017 winners of the Dean of Medicine Awards of Excellence
The McGill University Ovation ceremony, honouring this year’s winners of the Dean of Medicine Awards of Excellence are meant to applaud the outstanding contributions of permanent administrative support staff and technicians from across the Faculty and its Schools. They recognize high performance, above and beyond expectations, creative problem-solving, initiative, dedication, motivation and contribution to morale of Faculty staff. The Priyabrata Mukhopadhyay Award, was given to Philippe Laroche, Chief Animal Science Technician at the Comparative Medicine and Animal Resource Centre. The Anne McCormick Award was presented to Jarrod Nichol, Lean Thinking Administrator at the Comparative Medicine and Animal Resources Centre. “Our administration teams are the backbone of the Faculty of Medicine and are recognized university-wide,” noted Dr. David Eidelman, Vice-Principal (Health Affairs) and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, who served as host of the ceremony. “On behalf of our leadership and colleagues, thank you for your outstanding professionalism and contributions to our mission.” The entire VOE-Network congratulates Philippe and Jarrod! |
We offer Lean Tours! Click here to find out more....
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Coming EventsPeriodic events are held virtually or live for VOE-N members that are designed to share ideas, tour facilities and share best practices in applying Lean techniques.
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Support Staff TrainingWe offer basic training on Lean tools & skills to align your staff in their approach to waste identification and problem-solving
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Leadership Knowledge SharingLeading a Lean Organization is highly rewarding, achieving world-class results, but it's not without it's challenges. Allow our experienced thought leaders to help you with your obstacles, both live or through video workshops
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