Everyday Process Improvements That Work: Small Tweaks, Big Wins

Every day, Penn State faculty, staff, and administrators navigate dozens of small processes that keep the University running—answering student questions, approving purchases, preparing courses, managing data, or coordinating events. Over time, even simple workflows can become cluttered, slow, or frustrating.

This 2-hour virtual workshop empowers participants across the University to recognize, simplify, and improve the everyday processes that shape their work. Instead of focusing on complex methodologies or technical jargon, the session reframes “process improvement” as something everyone can do, regardless of title, department, or experience.

Participants will learn practical tools adapted from Lean Six Sigma, including:

• TIMWOODS to spot eight common types of workplace waste
• 5S to organize and streamline physical and digital spaces
• The S.I.M.P.L.E. Framework to guide quick, meaningful improvements

Through polls, live chat, virtual breakouts, and real-world examples, participants will uncover where inefficiencies hide, what small changes can make the biggest impact, and how to measure progress.

By the end, everyone will have:

• A clearer lens for seeing processes in their own work
• A few simple tools to make those processes flow easier
• One small, high-impact tweak they can test in the coming week.

This workshop emphasizes empowerment, practicality, and collaboration, fitting seamlessly with Penn State’s culture of continuous improvement, service excellence, and shared success.