Challenge
There is considerable focus on process improvement within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as the organization works to successfully fulfill the goals of Secretary McDonald’s 12 Breakthrough initiatives. The Performance Improvement Office (PIO) of the Enterprise Program Management Office (ePMO) has taken a nationwide initiative to create an enterprise-wide implementation of continuous process and outcome improvement. This includes support of the MyVA office whose mission it is to build trusted relationships focusing on creating strategic partnerships, support services, and performance improvement. MyVA initiatives are intricately linking the Veteran and employee experiences.
Solution
Atlas Research is working with the MyVA Performance Improvement (PI) Office to apply Lean and Six Sigma (LSS) methodologies to processes that add value and are customer and Veteran-centric. In addition, Atlas is applying Change Management subject matter expertise to help establish a “Lean” mindset and culture of continuous improvement within VA. These efforts directly support the developmental priorities as VA strives to transform health care delivery and key business processes to improve the Veteran’s overall experience.
Result
To support the VA’s Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence (I CARE) core values, Atlas Research provided coaching, mentoring and Just-in-time” training on Lean tools and techniques in the execution of VA-led PI projects and initiatives; Change Management support to the PI projects and initiatives; a Baldridge-based performance improvement framework; subject matter expertise in health care supply chain integration in support of the VA-led Support Services Excellence (SSE) improvements; subject matter expertise in strategic planning and roadmap development in support of initiatives that support VHA organizational excellence (i.e., health care access for Veterans, performance management, safety and quality, and overall effectiveness of VA health care); and subject matter expertise to VA Critical Staffing initiatives.