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An introduction to the 8 Wastes (Lean methodology), and how to spot hidden waste in your own processes.

This short session will provide an understanding of the principles, tools and techniques involved in Process Analysis with a view to improving business process effectiveness and efficiency. Delegates will have the opportunity to practice using the techniques that they learn via exercises designed to be enjoyable and thought provoking.

Do you have an idea for a new Community of Practice? Or perhaps you have an existing group that you think might be suitable to become a Community of Practice. If, after looking at the guidance on the CoPs Sharepoint Hub, you would like to talk through your plans with a member of the CoP Support Group (CSG), then these 30min drop in sessions are for you!

Please note, these sessions are informal, 1-2-1 meetings where colleagues can ask for advice and guidance from the Communities of Practice support team. If there is more than of you working on an idea together, we suggest one of you book on and invites the other(s) CoP initiator(s)/leader(s). We will assume you have already familiarised yourself with the information and guidance on the Sharepoint, and have already begun to develop your ideas for a CoP.

A series of 30 minute drop-in sessions to talk with one of the Simplifying our Processes team. We offer expert, impartial advice relating all things process improvement and want to support our colleagues on their own continuous improvement journeys.

Please note, these sessions are informal, 1-2-1 meetings where colleagues can ask for advice and guidance from the Simplifying our Processes team. These are not workshops or taught sessions.

The Simplifying our Processes team will be available 9-10 and 4-5 every Tuesday and Friday - each hour can be split into two sessions of 30 minutes depending on demand.

5S is defined as a methodology that results in a workplace that is clean, uncluttered, safe, and well organized to help reduce waste and optimize productivity. It's designed to help build a quality work environment, both physically and mentally.

This short virtual session looks at the Lean 5S tool as a way of organising workspace and how this can help wellbeing. It also draws comparisons with the Marie Kondo tidying method.

In preparation for the session, please take a photograph of something that makes you happy.

You will receive joining instructions a few days before the session with instructions on where to upload your photographs.

The course is designed to give participants an overview of the history and principles of the Lean methodology, and an explanation of some of the basic tools used to make improvements to processes. This session will provide some basic tools that can be used immediately to facilitate a continuous improvement way of working

This course is accredited with the LCS (Lean Competency System), a certificate will be provided on completion of a short assessment.

Details regarding LCS can be found here - https://www.leancompetency.org/

The course is designed to give participants an overview of the history and principles of the Lean methodology, and an explanation of some of the basic tools used to make improvements to processes. This session will provide some basic tools that can be used immediately to facilitate a continuous improvement way of working

This course is accredited with the LCS (Lean Competency System), a certificate will be provided on completion of a short assessment.

Details regarding LCS can be found here - https://www.leancompetency.org/

• The course provides an LCS accredited Lean Practitioner qualification. The course involves a 2-day training session followed by completion of a 6-week project.

https://www.leancompetency.org/

A charge of £150 is applied to this course. Payment is via PO or credit card and the booking will be confirmed on receipt of PO or confirmation of payment. Please see the payment policy https://www.training.cam.ac.uk/ourcambridge/info/payment for payment details etc.

A curated learning path on key skills for Mentoring (both for Mentors and Mentees). This Learning Path was created originally for the UIS Mentoring Scheme, but has kindly been made available for us all.

For more resources see the University of Cambridge's LinkedIn Learning Hub.

The course can be accessed here.

A curated learning path on working remotely. For more resources see the University of Cambridge's LinkedIn Learning Hub.

The course can be accessed here.

Discussion Topic: Thinking about becoming a manager? What to consider

This series follows on from the very popular first series held from April-July 2021. These informal drop-in sessions are designed to provide both new and more experienced leaders and managers, across all staff groups, with a safe space to share practice and discuss some of the challenges that can arise when supporting others to develop and strengthen their performance. Each session will start an hour of Q&A and discussion with a panel of experienced managers drawn from across the University. This will be followed by half an hour of small group discussion to allow participants the opportunity to meet other managers and share practice, in a smaller, more intimate setting. Those wishing to leave after the first hour and not stay on for final half hour in break out rooms, are free to do so. The format of the sessions is designed to facilitate peer support and learning. The sessions are not training sessions, although recommendations for training and other resources will be provided.

Comments from Series 1 participants: “I am loving all of these sessions and am so happy to have discovered a platform where ‘it all makes sense’” “It’s lovely to convene a group of people interested in leadership and developing their skills in this area.” “I intend to participate in as many sessions as I can because this forum gives a focused approach on developing leadership skills that are expected within the University. I had been looking for some sort of a planned approach to this and am really glad I found this.”

Panellists

Litsa Biggs - Head of Education Division, Academic Division

John Nicolson - Chief Research Technician, Department of Earth Sciences

Hayley Osborne - Administrative Officer, Academic Division

Questions we will consider during the session

1. Did you worry about stepping up to a management role? What were you particularly worried about?

2. How do you know if you will like it before you’ve tried it?

3. Many management roles require experience. How can you get this before becoming a manager?

4. Is it possible to be an introvert and enjoy being a manager?

5. What can be the advantages of having a more introverted manager?

6. What can you do if you are in a management role and find that you are really not enjoying it?

7. Where do you go for support when you are finding management difficult?

During this interactive session the ourcambridge Simplifying our Processes team will look at how habits can be established and how this can be applied to Lean tools and techniques, so helping to embed Continuous Improvement across the University. We will then discuss the impact that this could have on wellbeing.

Ourcambridge offer a wide range of opportunities for professional services employees wishing to develop their confidence and skills, and broaden their networks. At this session, we will provide an overview of the opportunities we offer to support your career development and information about how you can access these. The session will cover:

• Prioritising your personal development – what to consider and making the most of the SRD process

• Developing your Digital Skills – learn more about recent exciting developments in this area, including the new JISC self-assessment tool to review your digital skills

• Lean Practitioner training and certification – how might this support you in your role and what skills will it support you to develop?

• Communities of Practice – what are they and how can you join one to meet others working in similar areas?

• The Self-Match Mentoring Scheme – why you should find a mentor or how you can become one to others

• Speed mentoring – for those who are short of time but would still welcome a bit of extra support and advice

• Becoming an ourcambridge champion – what does this involve and how might it benefit your career development?

Peer support sessions offer the opportunity for mentors/mentees to come together and learn from one another in a safe space. The sessions are informal and designed to offer people the chance to share their experiences and talk over any challenges they may be having. Mentor and mentee sessions will be run separately. Anything discussed in the sessions should remain confidential.

Sessions

Sessions for mentors:

• Wednesday 16th February 11.00-11.30
• Thursday 7th April 14.00-14.30
• Tuesday 14th June 11.00-11.30

Sessions for mentees:

• Friday 21st January 11.00-11.30
• Friday 18th March 11.00-11.30
• Friday 20th May 11.00-11.30
• Friday 15th July 11.00-11.30

Have you ever wished you could get 10 minutes with a senior colleague to ask their advice on how they would handle something? Have you ever wondered how others approach challenging problems? This is your opportunity to ask. We are bringing together a panel of senior managers and leaders from across the University for a special speed mentoring session so that they can offer you their support and advice.

Speed mentoring offers you the opportunity for a series of short, focused conversations about a specific question or issue you are struggling with. You will rotate around four different mentors, spending around 10 minutes with each, to gain different perspectives on an issue you are seeking to resolve or a project you are trying to progress.

"I liked that there were a diverse background of university staff involved in the session, and all of the mentors were really engaged and enthusiastic. I felt that I could be honest about some of my experiences in the University, good and bad. All the mentors I spoke to acted as a good sound board for the issues that I wanted to discuss and they have given me some excellent advice and ideas."

"The fact that we saw 4 different mentees was brilliant - we gained different perspectives, saw different mentoring types and were also introduced to people and roles we may not have known about."

Mentors:

• Elena Carpenter - Process Improvement Analyst, ourcambridge
• Joy Haughton - Chief of Staff, Cambridge Centre for Advanced Education and Research in Singapore
• Dr Alex Price - Foundation Year Course Director, Admissions Office
• Joanna Walmsley - Head of Financial Planning & Budgeting, Finance Division
• Marita Walsh - Support Services Manager, Department of Chemistry
• Ben Warn - Acting Secretary, School of Arts & Humanities

A short course explaining how we identify, map and analyse business processes at the University of Cambridge

Communication is an important part of any mentoring relationship. The key skills of active listening and asking good questions can make a real positive contribution to its success. Come and get some practical advice and learn some useful tips from two experts. The session is equally relevant to both mentors and mentees.

In this session we will discuss together how to get your mentoring relationship off to a good start, how to build trust with your mentor and build your confidence as a mentee. We will also touch on how to overcome any obstacles in the mentoring relationship.

In this session we will discuss together how to get your mentoring relationship off to a good start, how to build trust with your mentee and build your confidence as a mentor. We will also touch on how to overcome any obstacles in the mentoring relationship.

We will begin by considering together how it feels to receive feedback and will then go on to consider the skills and techniques needed to give feedback well.

This session provides an introduction for both mentors and mentees. We will discuss the benefits of mentoring and provide guidance on how to set objectives for the mentoring relationship and how to prepare for your first session together. We will also offer some tips about how to be a good mentee and mentor.

A short how-to guide to creating and using SIPOC analysis in process improvement

A short introduction to De Bono's Six Thinking Hats - a creative thinking tool for creative meetings.

A bite-sized introduction to Understanding Benefits in Lean Management. Please complete the short feedback form (link in interactivity tab next to transcript) to let us know what you think and what we could improve.

An introduction to the questioning techniques 5 Why's and 6 honest men which can be used to understand processes and why things happen in a particular way.