Get To Work On Time!

1. Get To Work On Time! Personal Project of R.N

2. As the author of this personal project, I give Dr. Farrokh Alemi permission to publish this power point presentation on the George Mason Process Improvement course website.

3. Problem: Frequently arrives 5-10 minutes late to work, 3-4 times a week. • Late arrivals are distracting to co-workers and supervisor when walking in late for an early morning meeting. • Students who arrive early receive delayed services and are possibly late for early morning classes or work. • Supervisor receives delayed resolution to assignments of urgent nature. • Advisors with urgent questions receive a delayed response. Goal: Arrive to work by 8:30am, Monday through Friday.

4. Problem Cycle… Clothes wrinkled? Wake Up Exercise Shower Iron clothing Yes, Lunches prepared? Pack book bag Yes No Get dressed No Take dogs outside? Pack lunches Yes No Arrive on time at 8:30am Dogs do their “business” Leave for work by 8:05 Arrive 5-10 minutes late Leave for work after 8:05

5. Ineffective Resolutions • Resolve to set the alarm and wake up 15 minutes earlier • I would simply hit the snooze button repeatedly until finally rising at my normal time • Try to get ready faster in the morning • Quickly became stressful darting around in the morning, trying to accomplish the same routine, five or ten minutes quicker • Look for a better route to work, decreasing stop lights and traffic congestion • I already have the best driving route to work • Eliminate exercising in the morning before work • Skipping AM workouts left me feeling fatigued when starting my day

6. Possible Environment Changes… • Keep a clock in the bathroom • Share dog responsibilities with husband by agreeing that he will care for them in the mornings while I care for them in the evenings • If lunches cannot be prepared the night before, either buy at work or pack a frozen t.v. dinner • Get up earlier than 5:45am • Arrange to arrive to work at 9am instead of 8:30am • Take in a week’s worth of lunches on Monday morning, minus sandwiches • Exercise in the evenings • Join a carpool • Chop vegetables and clean fruit for lunches on Sunday nights • Avoid turning on the TV in the morning to decrease distractions • Iron clothes on Sunday nights • Arrange with supervisor to work past 5pm on days I arrive late to work

7. Data Date On Time? Date On Time? Date On Time?

8. Change demonstrates improvement through control charts

9. Evaluating Possible Changes Proposed Change Yes or No?

10. What Is Next? Implement the most successful systematic changes: • Agreement that husband cares for dogs in the mornings and I care for them in the evenings • Take a week’s worth of lunches to work on Monday mornings, minus perishable sandwiches Other highly scored changes related: 1. Prepare fresh fruit/vegetables for lunches on Sunday evenings 2. Buy lunch at work or pack frozen dinner when unable to prepare the night before 3. Iron clothing on Sunday evenings

11. Avoid hasty preparations in the mornings before work and shift dog responsibilities Continue exercise routines in the a.m.; implement changes elsewhere Commit to Sunday evening routine to ensure consistent timely arrivals to work each day throughout the week Conclusion

12. Lessons Learned • Withhold judgment and observe, observe, observe • Change that does not rely on personal motivation is most successful • Persevere! Consistency!