page

Berea College

core/paragraph

At the Office of Continuous Improvement, we offer three groups of services to help your office or team improve its efficiency: Quick Improvement Solutions, Yellow Belt Certification and Facilitation, and Green Belt Certification and Facilitation. Click on <a href="https://next.berea.edu/continuous-improvement/become-green-belt-certified">this link </a>to learn more about our certification services.

Under our Quick Improvement Solutions service, we partner with divisions, departments, or individuals to review processes and find ways to make work easier. We offer solutions to common workplace challenges, including but not limited to, space organization, standardization, and visual management.

acf/tabs

<div class="page" title="Page 16">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<p>While “spring cleaning” might help declutter your closet once a year, it’s often a temporary fix. At the Office of Continuous Improvement, we go beyond cleaning, using the LEAN methodology of 5S to create lasting systems that bring order, clarity, and efficiency to both physical and digital spaces.</p>
<p>5S stands for:</p>
<p>• Sort – Remove unnecessary items<br />
• Set in Order – Organize tools or materials for easy use<br />
• Shine – Clean and inspect the space<br />
• Standardize – Create consistent practices for upkeep<br />
• Sustain – Make the system a habit through regular check-ins and ownership</p>
<p>One standout example of success with 5S is Erica Woods. She continues to apply 5S principles beyond her Green Belt certification by organizing her digital files with intention and clarity. Through her BereaCorps folders, she maintains a structured system that allows her to quickly access important information like professional development records and workshop materials. This is a great example of how 5S isn’t limited to physical spaces, it can also be used digitally to support personal efficiency and organization. By tailoring the method to fit her needs, Erica shows how 5S can be a flexible and ongoing tool for staying organized. Before using 5S, many of her files weren’t in relevant folders, which made it harder to locate what she needed. Now, her files are clearly organized, and she can find what she’s looking for quickly and easily.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>


Space Organization

<div class="page" title="Page 16">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<p>Standardization ensures that improvements last by creating shared expectations and clear ways of working. In Lean, one of the key tools for standardization is &#8220;Standard Work,&#8221; documenting best practices for performing a task efficiently, consistently, and safely. Standard Work outlines who does what, when, and how, creating a foundation that supports training, accountability, and continuous improvement. Rather than limiting creativity, it empowers everyone involved by reducing confusion, promoting consistency, and building confidence in daily tasks. It also helps new team members get up to speed quickly and gives experienced team members a resource to troubleshoot or refine existing workflows.</p>
<p>Our project with Horticulture demonstrates how standardization can support teams. Miriam, the Production Associate and a BereaCorps team member, led an initiative to improve their regular maintenance process. Her goal was to set up future BereaCorps members and student workers for success, ensuring that everyone not only knows how to do the work but also why each step matters. Her countermeasures included a Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) manual for their Zero Turn mower, a detailed equipment maintenance checklist, multiple checklists for tools and supplies needed for different types of maintenance, and more. These resources make the process more accessible, sustainable, and adaptable for the entire team, now and in the future.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>


Standardization

<div class="page" title="Page 16">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<p>Visual Management is a Lean tool used to make important information easy to see and understand at a glance. It helps communicate the status of work, responsibilities, timelines, and priorities without needing to ask or search. This could look like digital calendars, labeling systems, dashboards, or signage, anything that visually supports clarity and flow. The goal is to reduce confusion and make it easier for people to act, make decisions, or notice when something is off track.</p>
<p>One common form of visual management is a Work-in-Progress (WIP) board, which shows where tasks are in a workflow, such as “To Do,” “In Progress,” and “Completed.” These boards can be physical (like sticky notes on a wall) or digital (using tools like Trello or Planner). They provide real-time insight into workload and progress, helping teams or individuals manage priorities and reduce bottlenecks.</p>
<p>At the Marketing and Communications department, JoJo Wray uses a customized physical WIP board to organize and track her work. His board includes sections for important tasks, a queue, current WIP, and completed items. This system helps her balance day-to-day operations with long-term goals. It’s a great reminder that WIP boards are not one-size-fits-all; the design and level of detail should match the needs of the person or team using them.</p>
<p>From color-coded shelves to digital trackers, visual management brings transparency and alignment to any workspace, making it easier to stay focused and keep work flowing.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>


Our Services