ALT Glossary

Action Plan

A detailed implementation plan that identifies what needs to be done, who is responsible, and when it will be completed.

Action Planning and Implementation

Action Register

A list of approved actions needed to move from the current state to the future state process.

Action Planning and Implementation

Benefit Realization

The process of documenting and measuring the expected outcomes of an improvement effort.

Action Planning and Implementation

Countermeasure

A specific action implemented to reduce or eliminate a root cause, barrier, or risk.

Action Planning and Implementation

Implementation Team

A group responsible for overseeing, supporting, and monitoring the transition from the current state to the future state process.

Action Planning and Implementation

Sustainability

The ability to maintain an improvement over time through monitoring, accountability, coaching, and continuous learning.

Action Planning and Implementation

Continuous Flow

The uninterrupted movement of services, information, or work through a process with minimal delays, bottlenecks, or waiting.

Continuous Improvement Concepts

Continuous Improvement (CI)

An ongoing effort to enhance an organization's products, services, or processes through small, incremental changes. The 5 key principles of continuous improvement are customer focus, process thinking, data-driven decisions, employee involvement, and incremental change.

Continuous Improvement Concepts

Kaizen (kai·​zen ˈkī-ˌzen)

A Japanese term meaning "continuous improvement," based on the belief that many small improvements over time create significant positive change.

Continuous Improvement Concepts

Lean

A philosophy focused on maximizing value while minimizing waste through continuous improvement and respect for people.

Continuous Improvement Concepts

Operational Excellence

The ongoing pursuit of improved quality, service, effectiveness, efficiency, and value creation.

Continuous Improvement Concepts

Continuous Improvement Concepts

Pull System

A process design in which work is performed only when it is needed rather than in anticipation of future demand.

Continuous Improvement Concepts

Rapid Improvement Event (RIE)

A focused, short-term team effort to quickly identify, test, and implement process improvements that enhance efficiency, quality, and outcomes.

Continuous Improvement Concepts

Respect for People

The foundational principle that an organization achieves its best results by developing the capabilities of its people, trusting them to identify and solve problems, and building systems that make their work meaningful rather than degrading.

Continuous Improvement Concepts

Value

Anything that directly contributes to meeting the needs of students, patients, faculty, staff, researchers, or other stakeholders.

Continuous Improvement Concepts

Value Stream

The complete set of activities required to deliver value to a beneficiary.

Continuous Improvement Concepts

Beneficiary

The person, group, or organization receiving value from a process.

Beneficiaries

Customer

Anyone who receives the output of a process.

Beneficiaries

Stakeholder

Any person or group impacted by the process or improvement effort.

Beneficiaries

Voice of the Beneficiary (VoB)

Information gathered to understand what beneficiaries need, expect, and value.

Beneficiaries

Voice of the Customer (VoC)

The documented needs, expectations, preferences, and feedback of the people who receive the products, services, or outcomes of a process.

Beneficiaries

Voice of the Employee (VoE)

Feedback and insights from employees involved in a process.

Beneficiaries

Voice of the Process (VoP)

Data and observations describing how the process is currently performing.

Beneficiaries

Voice of the University (VoU)

Strategic goals, mission priorities, leadership expectations, and institutional requirements influencing process performance.

Beneficiaries

Capabilities Building

Developing the skills, tools, knowledge, and confidence needed to lead and sustain improvement efforts.

Green Belt and Capability Development

Cohort

A group of faculty and staff who participate in an ELEVATE training program together.

Green Belt and Capability Development

Cohort-Based Learning

A learning model where participants progress through training as a group, learning from a facilitator conducting the training and supporting one another.

Green Belt and Capability Development