Improving safety
Shifting a national laboratory’s safety culture through work planning and control improvements
Challenge
As a leading multidisciplinary research facility, safety is integral to the lab’s science and technology mission. As part of its commitment to this mission, the organization embarked on a journey to strengthen key work planning and control (WPC) areas throughout the lab. This was no small endeavor, as they operate in over 20 different divisions, each with its own unique approach to work planning and control. The lab needed a comprehensive change management, learning, and communication strategy to help people understand the change, develop new skills and behaviors, and ultimately inspire a culture change.
Result
- Recent KPI measurements report increases in WPC adoption since the implementation of the WPC improvement strategies.
- The change network provided support to divisions during their WPC implementation and monthly Division Director round tables kept leadership engaged and accountable for the culture shift.
- Over 35 tailored training classes have been delivered to date.
- The WPC Program Office will continue to measure WPC adoption and adjust for continuous improvement.
- Communications continue to promote and report on WPC progress and success.
Solution
The laboratory implemented an “Improving How We Work” initiative that included WPC process improvements. CARA solutions included:
- Building support for the safety culture shift through a change management approach including a WPC change champion network, division leadership round tables, and continuous improvement via readiness assessments, pulse surveys and focus groups.
- Identifying knowledge/skill gaps to drive the enhanced WPC process and develop/deliver a tailored, instructor-led approach to provide a collaborative, relevant learning experience.
- Creating a sustainable, short and long-term messaging framework by developing communications (videos, articles, digital announcements) to help socialize, educate, support and inspire the safety culture shift
Shifting a national laboratory’s safety culture through work planning and control improvements
Challenge
As a leading multidisciplinary research facility, safety is integral to the lab’s science and technology mission. As part of its commitment to this mission, the organization embarked on a journey to strengthen key work planning and control (WPC) areas throughout the lab. This was no small endeavor, as they operate in over 20 different divisions, each with its own unique approach to work planning and control. The lab needed a comprehensive change management, learning, and communication strategy to help people understand the change, develop new skills and behaviors, and ultimately inspire a culture change.
Solution
The laboratory implemented an “Improving How We Work” initiative that included WPC process improvements. CARA solutions included:
- Building support for the safety culture shift through a change management approach including a WPC change champion network, division leadership round tables, and continuous improvement via readiness assessments, pulse surveys and focus groups.
- Identifying knowledge/skill gaps to drive the enhanced WPC process and develop/deliver a tailored, instructor-led approach to provide a collaborative, relevant learning experience.
Creating a sustainable, short and long-term messaging framework by developing communications (videos, articles, digital announcements) to help socialize, educate, support and inspire the safety culture shift
Result
- Recent KPI measurements report increases in WPC adoption since the implementation of the WPC improvement strategies.
- The change network provided support to divisions during their WPC implementation and monthly Division Director round tables kept leadership engaged and accountable for the culture shift.
- Over 35 tailored training classes have been delivered to date.
- The WPC Program Office will continue to measure WPC adoption and adjust for continuous improvement.
- Communications continue to promote and report on WPC progress and success.
The Story
The Client is one of the leading scientific research laboratories in the world. The “Improving How We Work” project was a top priority for the laboratory, focused on improving work planning and control tools, processes and procedures.
The lab created a stakeholder team with a mission to create a WPC program that would support the implementation of safe, consistent, structured, efficient work planning and control lab-wide. Feedback from the workforce highlighted several opportunities to improve current WPC efforts, making it simpler wherever possible, and safer for all. This required the need for knowledge, skill and behavior changes in the planning and execution of work across all WPC roles lab-wide. To help drive this change, the CARA solution involved a comprehensive change management, communication, learning and adoption strategy with the following outcomes:
- Streamlined processes and documentation;
- Updated, targeted and effective training;
- Wider employee engagement through increased communications;
- A shift in safety culture of collaboration, communication, and face to face conversations.
Three CARA consultants worked collaboratively with newly-formed WPC Program Office staff to develop and implement the strategy.
(1) The Change Manager established the framework for a structured culture safety shift using readiness tools, divisions engagements and metrics
(2) The Communications specialist used various mediums to socialize the new program, educate and gain buy-in across all WPC roles
(3)The Learning consultant conducted a needs analysis, developed the learning assets, and facilitated tailored, instructor-led training to over 600 employees lab-wide.
