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Process improvement helps units work smarter not harder

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Mota
  • 434th ARW Public Affairs
One Grissom officer is working hard at helping others work smart while leading the charge of innovation.

Lt. Col. Patricia Latham, 434th Air Refueling Wing process manager, is responsible for overseeing effective process improvement in an effort to ensure processes here are efficient, cost saving and compliant with Air Force instructions.

"There's no such thing as a perfect process, there's always room for improvement," said Latham. "We have to start with changing our culture and the way we think.

"Part of what I do as process manager is take issues that arise and help validate what the true problem is through a systematic approach called Continuous Process Improvement," said Latham.

CPI is a term used by the Air Force to describe the on-going effort to make processes more efficient.

"In a nutshell it's about working smarter and not harder," said Col. Doug Schwartz, 434th ARW commander.

The implementation of CPI requires oversight and support from leadership, and Grissom's commander is taking a proactive approach.

"CPI is here to stay," said Schwartz. "We owe it to the tax payers to be good stewards of their money, and we also owe it to Airmen who use those processes every day.

"Eliminating waste and identifying the value-added activities not only saves tax payers money, it also saves everyone time," he added. "That time saved can then be spent more productively and that's a win-win for everyone."

Not only does it affect everyone, process improvement also requires support from everyone, said Latham.

"For most of us, this concept is very different from the military culture we are accustomed to," said Latham. "We are used to following the directions from our leadership; it's not the norm for us to ask why or give an opinion of how something can be done better.

"Process improvement gives all Airmen the opportunity to be problem solvers," she added.

Airmen are encouraged to take improvement issues to their supervisors first who can then bring them to Latham if further assistance is required.

"The severity and complexity of a problem often determines what route best works to resolve an issue," said Latham. "After a process is identified I will assist in gathering facts, and those facts will help us determine how to proceed."

As a facilitator, Latham has the subject matter expertise to determine what CPI tools would best suit each situation.

"AFCPI draws upon various CPI methodologies and tools," she explained. "The tools help us systematically work through the process improvement."

In addition, Latham accesses the CPI portal, an online CPI resource that allows her to see other completed process improvement activities throughout the Air Force.

"The value of the CPI portal is that we can search the database to look for similar problems that have already been solved," said Latham. "This way we don't have to reinvent the wheel and others can also learn from our efforts."

To ensure Grissom is ahead of the game the commander requires all Grissom Airmen and civilians to take CPI awareness training.

"My goal is to ensure each member has the basic understanding of CPI resources and benefits we can provide throughout the Hoosier Wing," said Schwartz. "It's emphasized from the first day Airmen arrive at Grissom during new-comers orientation and continues into their work areas."

"In addition to being a valuable asset at Grissom, the training provides tools that can be used in each individual's every-day lives; there's always room for improvement," Latham concluded.

The awareness training will be provided during the week for civilians and Air Force Reserve Technicians and on the unit training assemblies for traditional reservists. For more information on CPI contact Latham at (765) 688-2290.

The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Airmen and aircraft from the 434th ARW routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission and U.S. strategic objectives.

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