The first day we worked to solidify the concepts of Level I and Level II through a significant review.  From this review I think we are gained equal footing and I developed a much better understanding of the pressures with which you are faced.  I'm excited with what you've said you are trying and also with the level of  your understanding of the material.

After we talked about the beginning portion of the management formula with which you are building, we began to talk about productivity.  Typically, traditional management in the private sector (at least up until the eighties) measured productivity in terms of output divided by inputs.  International pressures, from Japan in particular, forced the US to look at productivity in a different way by adding quality to the formula.  Now, the private sector looks at productivity in terms of outputs X quality divided by inputs to come up with indexes from which to mark improvements in work processes and from which to benchmark across different organizations.

Our trick in government is to figure out how we can begin measuring our own performance and making continuous improvements in our processes to increase productivity using some form of the O X Q / I Formula.  It should be as easy as 123 or ABC and we will see this in this class.

Measuring productivity and analyzing it to make improvements is how we must work in the future.  You are now being asked to do this whether you know it or not.  More indicators of this pressure will avail themselves to you as time goes on.

We watched the Film "If Japan Can Why Can't We".  Nucor Steel was one of the companies featured in this film and they have many lessons for us with regard to managing and the issue of productivity.  I'm sure you heard MONEY - INCENTIVES - ETC. ---- you know, the Herzberg Dissatisfier stuff.  But I submit to you that there is more to the picture than just money.  Its a philosophical choice and in class we will talk about some of the other things about Iverson's formula that relate to the models we posted on the wall.

I think we are beginning to see how all these things we've been talking about in levels I, II, and III fit together and build upon one another.  In talking about system problems we were able to discuss how important it is to be connected with the mission.  Growing Wine was an example of this connection.

Next up is communication and its impact on climate.  We will also discuss quality and where an audit should be as opposed to where it is typically put.  We will look at the Sterling Challenge as an example of auditing for excellence.
 

We participated in an exercise called the label game.  It is an activity from which we can make observations about human nature with regard to the impacts of communication.
Here's some of what the class wants us to learn about communication:

1. A key factor in good communications is not only the importance of body language but also in making sure you get feedback from the other person about how you are understanding their messages.
2. When people are labeled, the "Self Fulfilling Prophecy" comes into action and others expect people to act accordingly to the label ( and they usually do).
3. Not everyone is able to read "hidden agendas" or "between the lines".
4. We should learn to be forthright and open.
5. Do not beat around the bush and expect people to get the point.
6. Be more aware of hidden agendas or other's real purpose.
7. Labels limit the labeled and the labeler.
8. Don't assume a label applied by others is true.  Make up your own mind.
9. By agreeing with a label, you reinforce the expected behavior in that person.
10. You may want to solicit feedback about your label to build self awareness enabling you to modify your behavior in order to elicit a better response or encounter.

We did a project management activity in class to learn about how some teams track and plan for projects. Groups formed project overviews, work breakdown structures, and critical path charts.  In this class we ran out of time to blend the charts together.  Because of a time management issue on my part, I was not able to get across to the participants how valuable the use of project management can be to them.  I hope though, that this brief exposure to Project Management will whet there interest in these tools.

I learned a great deal from this group and enjoyed working with them.  I got a good sense from the group that positive change is occuring within there organization and hope they take advantage of the open window to effect positive change.

Please submit your CPM outside requirement work on "work process improvement" to the Davis Award
Panel.  You can find a nomination form on the web page: http://www.floridataxwatch.org/

Don't Forget to visit the CPM Web Page for our schedule:  http://www.fsu.edu/~cpm/
Visit Sterling's web page to see how other organizations improve: http://www.floridasterling.com/

If you need any help or suggestions on completing the outside requirements for the CSM then please send me an E-mail.  Remember, you need to be finished with all the outside requirements around the end of March 2001 so that you can graduate in May of 2001 at the  annual CPM Graduation in Tallahassee Fl. At the University Center. You can make this target date.  If you think you will have a problem meeting this date, call or e-mail me and I will get you on the right track to meet it.