Improvement Leader
Many organisations have good intentions about improvement. Fewer have the structures that make it actually happen — and last.
Format: 1 hr online course + online session + 3 days classroom + online session. The course runs when we have enough interest.
You learn to work towards shared goals, establish operational control and build a culture of continuous improvement.
Who is this for?
This course is for you if you:
- Lead a team or department and want better control of daily operations — not just constant firefighting.
- Want to translate strategic goals into concrete, actionable objectives that engage the whole organisation.
- Want to free up time and energy from daily operations — so that projects aimed at long-term goals get prioritised.
- Want to make sure Yellow and Green Belt training pays off — by creating the leadership conditions for improvement work to succeed.
- Want to build a culture of continuous improvement that lasts — not just practised when something goes wrong.
This course is particularly well suited for improvement leaders, team leaders, department managers and quality professionals with operational responsibility.
Includes course certificate
What will you get out of this?
- Translate strategic goals into operational objectives that engage and guide the whole organisation.
- Establish good habits for daily operations — including board meetings, visual management, standardisation, preventive maintenance and leader standard work — to free up time for long-term goals.
- Prioritise the right improvement projects in line with strategic goals and customer needs.
- Support Green Belt and Yellow Belt in their improvement work.
- Build a culture where continuous improvement happens regularly, based on facts and systematic follow-up.
- Strengthen your leadership skills to succeed with change and delivering results.
Recommendation
«Sissel is vibrant, engaging, highly competent and has a rare ability to make complex things simple and understandable. I wholeheartedly recommend her support on the journey towards Operational Excellence!»
Merete Mørk Mathisen, Operational Excellence Manager
How the course works
- Online course (~1 hour) — Preparation: You familiarise yourself with key concepts, build a shared understanding of the challenge and begin structuring the path towards your goals using a Thought Map.
- Online session (2 hours): We go through the Thought Maps, give feedback and answer questions. You get a guide for the classroom days and what to prepare.
- 3 days classroom: Introduction to methods and hands-on exercises in operational control and continuous improvement. You work on your own challenges and leave with concrete tools you can put to use straight away.
- Online session (2 hours): Experience sharing and follow-up.
Course topics
Shared goals: Strategic prioritisation and clarity
- Identify customer and stakeholder needs (Voice of the Customer) and define KPIs that reflect business goals.
- Break down KPIs into operational objectives that are concrete and actionable.
- Use Thought Maps and Roadmaps to identify improvement areas, prioritise actions and plan the path towards goals.
- Psychological safety and collaboration — building ownership of strategic goals.
Operational control: Structures for operations and leadership
- Establish processes that deliver on customer requirements and strategic goals.
- Implement visual management tools — board meetings and dashboards — to monitor and manage process performance.
- Process mapping and Process Walk / Go to Gemba to understand the current situation.
- Standardise best practice for consistent results.
- Establish leadership routines and use Process Walk to engage teams where the work happens.
- Implement preventive maintenance and OEE to ensure stability and maximise equipment effectiveness.
- Develop employees and ensure knowledge of what affects process performance.
Continuous improvement: Good habits and sustained development
- Free up time for improvement by establishing robust work routines and maintaining control of daily operations.
- Use strategic goals and visual management to identify improvement opportunities and adjust processes proactively.
- Support problem solvers: introduction to DMAIC «light» and A3 for simple and structured problem solving.
- Change management and accountability — succeeding with change and ensuring ownership.
- Build a culture of continuous improvement through engagement and systematic follow-up.
- Develop an action plan for implementation in your own organisation.
The course places strong emphasis on practical methods and solutions that can be implemented straight away.
Tools and methods
- Brainwriting
- Voice of the Customer (VOC)
- Requirement (CTQ) Tree
- Defining KPIs (Key Performance Indicators)
- Operational Definition
- Strategic goal setting
- Thought Map and Roadmap
- Process Walk / Go to Gemba
- Problem statement
- Specific goals
- Project selection and Project Charter
- Communication plan
- Context diagram and SIPOC
- Process mapping and Value Stream Mapping
- Prioritisation matrix
- Standardisation and 5S
- Preventive maintenance (OEE)
- Leader standard work
- Visual management and board structure
- DMAIC «light» and A3
- Change management
Some methods and tools are described at an introductory level, while others are covered in depth.
Practical information
Courses can be arranged on request and customized to your business needs.
Your own data can be used in examples and exercises.
Open courses are arranged according to the Course Calendar.
You can start e-learning when you want. You have access for a year and unlimited attempts to successfully complete multiple-choice exam.
Lunch, refreshments, and drinks during classroom training are included, and you receive a course completion certificate.
Location
Course location varies; check "Place" in Course Calendar.
Lean Tech is located at Kristoffer Robins vei 13 (0978 Oslo) and organizes courses here.
We have an agreement with Thon Hotels and organize courses in other locations as needed.
Registration
Instructor
Sissel Pedersen Lundeby is IASSC (International association for Six Sigma certification) accredited trainer associate:
"This accreditation publically reflects that you have met the standards established by IASSC such that those who participate in a training program led by you can expect to receive an acceptable level of knowledge..."
Sissel has a Master in Chemical Engineering and more than 20 years' experience within manufacturing and environmental technology. She has practiced Lean Six Sigma since 2002, completing Black Belt projects and certification through Cytec (2004) and IASSC (2017).
She use Lean Six Sigma to create measurable results and want her course participants to be successful improving their processes. That's why her training focus on practical application.
Feedback
"Inspiring, professionally competent, popularize a theoretical discipline"
Espen Fjeld, Commercial Director at Berendsen
"Academic highly skilled and clear performance. Fun and builds trust"
Jon Sørensen, Production Manager at Berendsen
"10/10 good at reaching everyone"
Erlend Stene, Sales leader at Berendsen
"Clear and well presented. Good at asking questions and listen (check understanding)"
Morten Bodding, Production Manager at Berendsen
"Made a difference, engaged and skilled"
- Participant from EWOS
"You are inspiring, positive and professionally skilled"
- Participant from EWOS
Anonymous feedback:
"Clear presentations and well explained"
"I thought it was very rich, with good examples that made me reflect"
Do I need prior knowledge of Lean or Six Sigma?
No. The course is designed for leaders and does not require a technical background in Lean or Six Sigma. Some familiarity with basic improvement principles is helpful, but not required.
What is included in the price?
Online courses, online sessions, 3 days classroom including lunch and refreshments, course documentation and course certificate upon completion.
What is the difference between Improvement Leader and Black Belt?
Improvement Leader is aimed at leaders who want to establish structures for operational control and continuous improvement in their organisation. Black Belt is aimed at professionals who want to lead complex improvement projects, build deeper analytical competence and provide technical support to others. An Improvement Leader and a Black Belt are complementary roles — where the Improvement Leader creates the framework and direction, the Black Belt supports with analysis, project management and coaching of Green and Yellow Belts.
What is the difference between Improvement Leader and Green Belt?
Green Belt teaches you to lead improvement projects using the DMAIC methodology. Improvement Leader focuses on establishing structures for daily operations and continuous improvement — and on how you as a leader create the conditions that make improvement work succeed over time.
Can I take this course even if I am not a manager?
The course is primarily designed for leaders with operational responsibility. If you are responsible for an improvement programme or quality without being a formal manager, the course may still be a good fit. Feel free to get in touch for a no-obligation conversation.
Is this relevant to my industry?
Yes. The methods are industry-neutral and work in manufacturing, healthcare, the public sector and more. The course is particularly well suited for organisations that want to establish structures for operational control and build a culture of continuous improvement.
Is the course delivered in English?
The course is normally delivered in Norwegian, but most Norwegian participants are comfortable attending in English. If you prefer English, please add a comment when you register. We will confirm with the other participants and get back to you — this is usually straightforward to arrange.
Ready to build structures that make improvement actually last?
The course runs when we have enough interest. Join the waitlist and we will be in touch when we are planning the next session.
Interested in in-house training?
Assignments
Contact info
Lean Tech AS | Kristoffer Robins vei 13
0047 481 23 070
Oslo, Norway
Lean
L - Look for solutions
E – Enthusiastic
A – Analytical
N - Never give up