ABSTRACT
The first year plan (or calendar) is a working document that shows continuous improvement activities and other activities that support Lean initiatives throughout the year. Placing dates on the calendar, assigning responsibility, monitoring progress, and working the plan will help launch Lean in the higher educational institution. As one works through the activities in plan (trainings, communications, monitoring, etc.) repeatable patterns can be identified. The approach needs to be standardized on how to identify projects, how to schedule projects, how to communicate information, what to communicate, how to conduct training, and how to monitor progress. Many important processes (budgeting, billing, strategic planning, accreditation, etc.) have recurring cycles that contain elements of planning, implementation, evaluation, and adjustments. The process improvement cycle should not be any different. At the end of first year, feedback should be collected from project groups, staff, faculty, and leaders on the continuous improvement program.
