Flumerfelt leads Lean Thinking for Schools training in Traverse City

Participants from the Traverse City area completed the Lean Thinking for Schools training this March led by Dr. Shannon Flumerfelt, director of Lean Thinking for Schools at the Pawley Lean Institute.

The 23 participants came from Traverse City Area Public Schools, Elk Rapids Public Schools and the Traverse Bay Intermediate School District.

Training began in January and consisted of six full-day sessions.

The training focused on creating understanding of the basic concepts of being a Lean champion, and then developing and implementing projects into the school district.

The Lean cohort identified and executed 21 Lean improvement projects, in areas including: business administration, maintenance and operations, communications, technology and instruction.

According to Flumerfelt, participants were very enthusiastic about the program and excited to take what they learned and start applying it at their jobs.

Lean Thinking for Schools trainings are nationally available to school systems. For more information, visit www.oakland.edu/leanschools.