Who says process improvement can't be fun?
Process Improvement isn’t always easy. It involves change, and we know change can be hard. Improvement isn’t just about altering a process. It involves changing habits which is even tougher! Process workers, problem solvers and, most importantly, leaders have to adapt their habits and behaviors.
I enjoy continuous improvement, but let’s face it, sometimes it feels harder than it should be. A team may run into a major roadblock or experience resistance from people who don't want things to change … for some, it can feel like a slog.
Every time I worked on the lyrics to this song, it put a smile on my face. I was entertained! It felt like working on a fun puzzle; Coming up with rhyming lyrics, communicating something meaningful, and weaving in Lean tools and concepts to match the beat of the song.
I want this song and music video to bring joy to everyone involved in continuous improvement.
Buckle Up! We’re all on the improvement journey together. Now you can add a little whimsey to your adventures. When you need a pick-me-up, you’ve got a Lean anthem to sing along to. Throw a 30-second Lean dance party! It’s a musical jolt of Lean caffeine.
ENJOY!!
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Experience
Some organizations that Tracy has helped include:
Kitchens For Good, Feeding San Diego, San Diego Zoo & Safari Park, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara, San Diego State University, UCSD Health, Callaway Golf, Charles Schwab, GoLeanSixSigma.com, LPL Financial, Apple, Solar Turbines, Yum! Brand Foods, Cisco Systems, Motorola, Sears & Roebuck, Shea Homes, Trustmark Insurance, DC Shoes, City and County of Denver, Oregon State Government, Washington State Government, LA County Registrar Recorder County Clerk, The Navy, The City of SeaTac, The City of Shoreline, Center For Sustainable Energy, Sempra Energy, The Department of Veteran’s Affairs, The Nature Conservancy, The Department of Ecology and various King County agencies including, Records & Licensing, Financial Business Operations Division, Facilities Management, Risk Management, Wastewater Treatment Division, Office of Labor Relations, and the Department of Executive Services.
Why I Do
What I Do
Two things about my work intrigue me.
I love helping clients solve their culture puzzle. What is working well?
What is not? What norms hold the current culture in place? How can we understand the root causes behind why the culture is the way it is?
Then we work to build and create an intentional culture. When I work with individual problem solvers’, I love the A-HA moment when they realize that this stuff works! They get solid results and then they want to apply the concepts even more. I’m fascinated by what people accomplish using the improvement methods I teach.
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I enjoy spending time with husband of 25 years and my two boys...being involved in their lives and watching them grow up.
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I like to stay active with biking, hiking, and playing Pickleball. I enjoy traveling and seeing new places, especially visiting our country’s National Parks.
Background
Tracy is a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, co-author of "The Problem-Solver's Toolkit"; co-Founder of the Just-in-Time Cafe, a Lean Six Sigma Instructor at UC San Diego, and a process improvement ZEALOT!
For 25+ years, Tracy has advised companies on many aspects of cultural change, leadership development, customer experience, strategic alignment, and Lean process improvement.
For 20+ years, Tracy has consulted in the process improvement industry. She has trained over 3500 people, mentored over 1500 people and has helped coach folks through projects with results that range between $20,000 and $8 million dollars in savings. Her expertise runs the gamut, from facilitating leadership retreats and strategic planning with top executives, to facilitating Process Walks, Kaizen Events and coaching problem solvers.
Tracy teaches process improvement at UC San Diego. She is the Lead Instructor for the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and the Lean Six Sigma Leadership Course. For many years, Tracy was 1 of 8 instructors in the Lean Enterprise Course at San Diego State University.
Tracy is the Co-Founder of the Just-in-Time Café, Chair for the SoCal Lean Network, a Board Member on UC San Diego’s Process Improvement Advisory Board. Tracy is also a Board Member of the West Region for Association of Manufacturing Excellence (AME).
Event Reel
Tracy O'Rourke on Vaccinations, Lean Six Sigma in Government, and More - Lean Blog Podcast #415
Process Improvement in Nonprofits, Government and Education with Tracy O'Rourke - LSS4G Podcast
How To Build a Roadmap for Cultural Transformation
Strange bedfellows + CMS Corner Interviews w/Tracy O'Rourke & Russell Morrison #cms
Highlights
Education &
Professional Development
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MBA with emphasis in Leadership and Managing Organizational Change from the Graziadio School of Business at Pepperdine University
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BA in English Literature from San Francisco State University
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Certified Master Black Belt Certification – Pivotal Resources
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UCSD Instructor – Lean Six Sigma Courses
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SDSU Instructor – Lean Enterprise and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
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Certified Black Belt – GE Appliances
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Certified Green Belt Instructor – Motorola University
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Lean Enterprise Certificate – San Diego State University
