QUALITY CORNER: CLASS Projects and NEXT Updates

Several employees have been involved in recent continuous improvement and innovation projects. Read more about their accomplishments!

CLASS Certification 

John Meehan (Customer Relationships) completed training on the use of Continuous Improvement tools and documentation and completed a project to receive a Yellow Belt certification for his work on developing quick-access tools for USS employees. 

NEXT Project Completion  

NEXT (iNnovation EXcellence Team) was introduced in the January/February issue of Engauge. Jeremy Kosegi (Underground Engineering & Construction), completed a review/evaluation of an innovative product for a Corrosion Resistant Manhole.  

CLASS Spotlight 

On February 17, Water Distribution Maintenance Crews completed a 6S Event on five of their Water Distribution trucks. Look at the great “before” and “after” shots below! 

The employees who participated include Jim Allen, Doug Sponsel, Rusty Anderson, Nate Schiller, Donovan Keith, Bobby Mills, James Walker, Erik Scott, David Hilyard, Charlie Spaulding, Shane Hinsley, Larry Ratliff, Zachary Gibbs, Steve Anthis, David Strecker, Randy Scott, Danny Dye, and James Burton. 

BEFORE:

AFTER:

CLASS Reminders and Training Updates  

• 6S is a systematic method to organize a workspace. The “S”s stand for Sort, Store, Shine, Standardize, Sustain (typically with a checklist), and, lastly, Safety, because a clean workspace is a safe workspace.
• CLASS Refresher Training 2021 and General Awareness Training are now available in Citizens Success Academy. 
• A one-hour virtual Gemba Walk training is scheduled for April 22 at 2 p.m. Invitations were sent to various leaders in the organization. Reach out to Quality if you are interested.   
• To support Strategic Initiative #60 – Critical Process Documentation, areas should be identifying critical processes to review and/or create documentation. Check with your area leadership to participate!