Lean Government Exchange 2017

We are pleased to present our first Lean Government Exchange on June 27 in Des Moines! Government and non-profit entities face unique challenges with their Lean journey, so we have designed a day of learning aimed at helping you learn how to overcome those challenges by hearing from others who have gone before you. This event is not limited to those in government – anyone with an interest in continuous improvement will benefit from attending.

The day will begin with a keynote address, The Soul of Lean by Ken Miller. Most lean initiatives pay great dividends in the early years as initial projects pick off low hanging fruit. But how do we move lean from an initiative with projects and tools to a sustainable culture of continuous improvement? In this presentation, Ken Miller, author of We Don’t Make Widgets and Extreme Government Makeover, breaks down the core beliefs that inhibit lean adoption and demonstrates the leadership shift necessary for lean to thrive. Ken is the founder of the Change and Innovation Agency, a firm dedicated to increasing government’s capacity to do more good. Ken has worked with amazing people in the most difficult environments to tackle big issues like: Where’s my tax refund? How do we make a child abuse hotline as responsive and reliable as 911? How can we bring the radical improvements of manufacturing to the 85% of the workforce that doesn’t make widgets? Click here to learn more about Ken

Your day of learning will continue with a robust panel discussion where the impact of Lean in Government will be shared from three different perspectives: business, State of Iowa, and the customer. Lean began in the State of Iowa with private entities introducing the benefits of Lean within their own businesses. You will hear about the private/public partnership from Karin Peterson, Vice President of Human Resources for Pella Corporation, the impact of Lean within a state agency from Department of Administrative Services director Janet Phipps, and, a customer’s perspective of what it was like to be a part of a government Lean event and the impact it has had on him from Keith Kratchmer.

Following a light lunch, you will choose from three breakout sessions. Breakouts will be filled on a first come – first serve basis on the day of the event. Read breakout descriptions here.

1. Government Executive Lean Leadership Overview
2. How to Start Lean in the Public Sector
3. Why and How we use Lean

The day will conclude with a closing keynote by Jennifer Teal – City Administrator, Gahanna, Ohio. In late 2013, two staffers from the City of Gahanna got their first taste of Lean during a state-sponsored Green Belt course and the rest is history. Now more than 20% of the City’s full-time staff have completed a weeklong Lean “Boot Camp” course and dozens of staff-led continuous improvement projects around the City have made Gahanna government Simpler, Faster, Better and Less Expensive.

Gahanna’s City Administrator and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Jennifer Teal, will share the story of how Gahanna has used Lean tools and training to empower City staff to question “the way things have always been done” every day. She will share details and insights about building an in-house Lean training program, successful (and not-so-successful) staff projects and, most importantly, building a culture that values innovation and continuous improvement.

The event will also include gallery walk where you will view Lean projects and lessons-learned from those in government and other non-profit settings.

The cost to attend this event is the same for members and non-members. Please invite your government officials to attend this great learning opportunity!

This event is not limited to those in government – anyone with an interest in continuous improvement will benefit from attending.

Event Cost:
$55 for Members & Non-Members

We have reserved a block of rooms at the reduced rate of $105 per night. Please call the Airport Holiday Inn directly to make your reservation (515) 287-2400.