Audio Message from George Angelo

 

Agenda©

 AGENDA© is a Project Tracking Method that I developed in the late 1990s as an engineering manager. I incorporated the AGENDA© method into an engineering request format around the year 2000 as a manufacturing services manager, with further use as a timing and planning tool within our multiple-site operations. AGENDA© is simple to learn and remember… making it so easy that written or electronic documentation may not be necessary in the case of simple projects of short duration.

Using the AGENDA© project process is LEAN, yet thorough. From building a deck at home to expanding your worksite; including preparation, construction, qualification of equipment, and efficient operation of people, machines, and systems.

We know that achieving LEAN operations requires the elimination of waste. When it is time to improve, it is important to do the work once… no back-sliding. By following the basic steps outlined here, you can assure that "no stone will be left unturned".

A Acceptance of project direction
G Generate a clear, feasible concept
E Engineering, including Bill Of Material creation and purchasing
N Nail It Down… consider new improvements or additions
D Do the work
A Approve the final result


A - Acceptance of project direction
Assure that everyone is aware of the expectations. Announce, post, meet, communicate in every way necessary to avoid a false start. The formal request form is a great place to get signoffs for problem descriptions or proposed solutions, including budgetary cost estimates. Everyone directly owning a result should be included. If legitimate concerns are brought forth, now is the time to resolve them.

G - Generate a clear, feasible concept
Generate a clear vision of the size, shape, complexity (simplicity, if effective team concept is utilized in the first step) of the effort. Round up as much detailed information as possible and describe the plan clearly to the owner(s). Sketches and photographs of similar applications are a great visual communication tool. Also, this step provides another opportunity for buy-in or re-budgeting if necessary. This step is your opportunity for improvement, not later. A disciplined effort at this critical time will allow lightning fast progress from this point on.

E - Engineering, including Bill Of Material creation and purchasing
Engineering, a field close to my heart, is where competent processing of the concept takes place. A detailed plan, documented in the form of writings, drawings, and models; is expeditiously transformed into component orders, shop orders, and work orders. This is not the time to be creative… if the final concept is not clear, then the second step above was not complete. Any analysis to support feasibility will "derail the train" and project timelines will be in serious danger.

N - Nail It Down (i.e. any New improvements or additions)
New direction is not bad, but it may either improve or hurt the budget and on-time-completion of the project. All factors must be weighed carefully and all parties must be in consensus with any change. This step can be as exciting as the initial concept generation if you truly add value. Agreement by involved parties is vital. This is not the time for creative expression; nail it down.

D - Do the work
Doing the component receiving, assembly, installation, inspection, and qualification is the most rewarding activity of the project. Things come together in the presence of the customer (through witnessing first-hand or your status updates). This is a high visibility endeavor and all the homework will now pay off.

A - Approve the final result
Approval is necessary for closure. Everyone is busy, sometimes moving on to new concerns. This can lead to dissatisfaction, frustration, and conflict later. Allowing continuing discussions and proposals after-the-fact will erode the foundation of continuous improvement. If one of the owners of the resulting project has a legitimate concern, action must commence immediately. Follow up must be assigned, scheduled, and executed in a timely manner.
On the up side, when customer expectation are met or exceeded; there is no better time for the diligent crew to "stop and smell the roses". This renewal process will carry over to the next project. Some discussion of future plans can be cultivated and put into to the queue. Job satisfaction is a great motivator for all parties involved. An emphasis on the team effort and contributions of all will sustain the effort and instill the pride needed to maintain the new asset.

Closing comments:
I hope you will see the value and simplicity that you can enjoy by using this process. No physiological analysis required. No complex language is needed. Updates are easy. Multi-tasking project managers can avoid the traps of time-resource overloads by noting A-G-E-N-D-A© like an indicator light stack, reminiscent of auto racing, or the countdown in a backyard game of horse.
Stay on time, on budget, and on target with continuous improvement using the AGENDA© project tracking method. Thank you.