Department of Internal Audit and Compliance

Business Process Improvement

Business Process Improvement (or BPI, for short) is among the service lines offered by the University of Toledo Division of Internal Audit and Compliance.  This is the means by which UToledo is utilizing Lean Six Sigma methodology as a tool to evaluate the institution’s processes.
 
Lean Six Sigma is a methodology that relies on a collaborative team effort to improve performance by systematically removing waste, combining lean manufacturing/lean enterprise and Six Sigma to eliminate the eight kinds of waste: Transportation, Inventory, Motion, Waiting, Over-production, Over-processing, Defects, and Skills (abbreviated as 'TIMWOODS').  Lean Six Sigma utilizes the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control) phases similar to that of Six Sigma. The training for Lean Six Sigma is provided through the belt based training system similar to that of Six Sigma (i.e., white, yellow, green, black, master black belts). The UToledo Internal Audit and Compliance department team have several employees that have achieved Belt designations.
 
How does BPI work?  Here is an example of a success story.  In 2014 and 2015, an internal initiative was launched to improve human resource and payroll business processes, in the areas of: hiring and filling vacancies, onboarding, paying employees, recording time off, and separations and terminations. Approximately 60 employees from across the University participated in working sessions over a period of five months to identify root causes of bottlenecks and recommendations for action items. Over 50 action items were formulated and are being implemented.
 
Other process improvement projects have been completed on a smaller scale in areas such as purchasing/supply chain and student affairs.
 
The University has a Six Sigma Master Black Belt on staff that trained the above employees on Lean tools and techniques. He has also trained other University departments and employees on request. After this training, they earn the designation of “Green Belt”. Approximately 200 employees have been trained thus far spanning numerous functional areas.
 

Please contact any member of the UToledo Internal Audit and Compliance team to learn more about our BPI service or to schedule a BPI project.

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Last Updated: 1/3/23