Alpha Omega Training and Consulting is a partner with M2M offering their own on-line training courses, Alpha Omega primarily focuses on Six Sigma training but also offer Training Management services for small and medium sized organizations.  They offer approximately 130 on line courses. Their web site is  www.alphaqc.com

The LEGO Exercise is a simple exercise that is designed to re-inforce the 5 principles of Lean and CPI.  It shows the paticipants very clearly by building Lego structures, and making small Process Changes, how powerful each Principle is and how much it can improve productivity. The LEGO exercise is recommended with each Awareness Course for Employees and Senior Leaders.  The package of material you will receive if you order this exercise is:
1. Instructions on how to build the LEGO kits
2. Instructions for supporting Flip Chart data collection and room set up
3. Instruction on how to condust the exercise to get the most learning from it in a classroom environment.

    After building the LEGO Exercise kits, the exercise can be reused over and over again and will be the talk of the Awareness class attendees. I have very few attendees that do not understand the Principles of CPI better after using the LEGO Exercise. It is also FUN and when Training is Fun, it is remembered.

Duration: 1 Hour
Cost: $50
Pre-Requisites: The Awareness Course

1. CPI Awareness Training explains the basic Principles and Tools used to improve processes.  This training is designed for every organization employee so they will understand what CPI is, why it is important, and how they must get involved to make the culture change a success. This academic course will cover the concepts of CPI, but realize that a simple Exercise will be better than any academic course in convincing employees that CPI works. This course alone will not convince every attendee. 

     A one hour exercise is also available from M2M for only $50.  The file we have will explain how to build a Lego Exercise and then conduct the exercise to ensure the CPI Principles all are shown correctly.  This exercise should also be used with the Senior Leader training.  I have never seen or used a more effective exercise to teach the Principles of CPI.  This one has consistent, repeatable, outstanding results and should be used to train all employees.  To order, contact M2M at MAQ@M2MCPI.COM.

Duration:  1 Hour

Cost:         $50

Pre-requisites:  None

2. Leadership Training is designed to give the organization’s senior leaders enough basic CPI Awareness to understand what CPI is and what it can do.  It also identifies the actions that leadership must take to drive the CPI Implementation.  The number one reason why CPI implementations fail is lack of Leadership support and drive.  This is critical training for all senior personnel if they plan to lead the organization through the change to a CPI Culture.  

Duration:  3 Hours

Cost:         $150

Pre-requisites: None

3.  The Level 1 Facilitator course will educate the student on how to conduct a CPI Event to include the Pre-event preparation, conducting a 4-5 day event, and the Post-event sustainment activities. After completing this academic course, the student must complete three events to be certified.  One event must be observed, one co-facilitated, and one facilitated under the eye of a Level 2 Facilitator.  Individual Tools that will be taught during this course are:

            - SIPOC

            - Value Stream Mapping

            - Undesirable Effects Charting

            - 5-Why Analysis

            - Pick Chart Prioritization

            - Implementation Plan Generation

            - Quad Chart Generation and reporting

Duration: 32 Hours

Cost:        $500

Pre-requisites: CPI Awareness, Participate in at least one event

4. The Level 2 Facilitator course will cover all the extra tools and skills that a Level 2 Facilitator needs in addition to the training received in the Level 1 Facilitator course.  The biggest difference between a level 1 and 2 Facilitator, is that level 2s work at a higher level in the organization, and work the more complex events with processes common between many sub-organizations.  Therefore, a Level 2 must be more politically in tune with the organization’s senior Leadership, and have credibility with every level of the organization.  A Level 2 facilitator is not only a skilled Facilitator, but also a CPI Coach and Mentor for all levels of the organization.  After completing the academic course the student must Mentor three Level 1 Facilitators to be certified. 

Duration: 64 Hours

Cost:  $1000

Pre-requisites:  Level 1 Facilitator Certification and Facilitation of at least 10 events

5. The CPI Tools Course will cover what the primary CPI tools are and how to use each when improving Processes.  Some of the tools that will be covered are:

            - Lean Principles

            - Value Stream Mapping

            - Six S

            - Standard Work

            - Kan Bans

            - Spaghetti Diagram

            - Fishbone Analysis

            - 5-Why Analysis

            - Error Proofing

            - Pareto Charts

Duration: 16 hours

Cost:         $199

Pre-requisites:  CPI Awareness Training

6. Change Manager (CM) Training is designed to teach individuals who have been given the responsibility to help an organization Implement CPI.  These CMs are the organization’s primary Point of Contact (POC) for all CPI activities.  They especially need to know how to help an organization identify Processes that need improving and then set up CPI events to improve the organization’s bottom line.  After events, the hardest task for the CM is to ensure the identified changes get implemented and the changes are sustained.  The CM is the keeper of the CPI Culture.  He/she will Mentor their own leadership as well as all the organization’s employees.  The CM must be a dedicated CPI enthusiast and have a deep knowledge of how CPI will elp the organization.

Duration: 8 Hours

Cost: $99

Pre-requisites:  CPI Awareness and participate in at least one event.

7. Value Stream Analysis (VSA):  A VSA is a Strategic Plan for a sub-organization. Similar to an EVSA.  The differences are that a VSA is accomplished in any organization in one 8-hour day and it does not focus across the larger organization.  Deliverables of a VSA are almost the same as the EVSA but excludes the Vision, Mission, and Goals.  It does include: a Prioritized list of Value Streams; a detailed list of Customers and Stakeholders, their Expectations and Contributions to the Organization; a Prioritized list of goal-oriented Focus Areas for Process Improvement efforts across the organization, and an understanding of what the sub-organization is doing and where it fits into the larger Company.

     The VSA course will teach a Level 1 Facilitator how to conduct a VSA and how to help an organization prioritize their Process Improvement Focus Areas.

Duration: 8 Hours

Cost:        $99

Pre-requisites: Level 1 certification

8. Enterprise Value Stream Analysis (EVSA):  An EVSA is a two-three day event with the senior members of the organization to conduct a Strategic Planning session for the organization.  The Deliverables of the EVSA are: a Prioritized list of Value Streams; a detailed list of Customers and Stakeholders, their expectations and Contributions to the Organization; a Prioritized list of goal-oriented Focus Areas for Process Improvement efforts across the organization; Long and Short Range Goals and Metrics; A vision statement; a Mission Statement; and most importantly, a deep understanding of who the organization is and what they are trying to do.

     The EVSA course will teach a Level 2 Facilitator how to conduct an EVSA and what the outputs should look like as well as the significance of each.

Duration:  16 Hours

Cost:         $199

Pre-requisites: Level 2 Certification (or an experienced Level 1 in Training as a Level 2)

9. Practical Problem Solving – 16 hours

This course is designed to teach Facilitators and Managers how to solve problems based on Data and a logical step by step process.  All Mid and Floor Managers should receive this training early when Implementing CPI.  Eventually, all employees should have this training.  Problem Solving needs to be a Foundational skill in any successful organization. 

Prerequisites:              None

Cost:                          $199