How do you overcome communication barriers and silos in a lean organization?

Communication must be done using a communication strategy. This includes format of communication I.e. One-on-one, email, open house, notice board, text message, social media etc. Next point to include in the strategy is- Who would initiate the communication and to whom will it be sent. Identify names of people. Also indicate if communication is being sent for any action to be taken or is it for information only e.g. CC, BCC. Next point to define is what would be the frequency of communication e.g. Daily, weekly, fortnightly, monthly, annual etc. Another important aspect of the communication strategy is evaluating that the strategy works. Meaning, the communication is clear, doesn't generate rumors and has an effective feedback loop.

The strategic perspective and knowledge of Lean principles is essential to address this problem in organizations. When I talk about strategies it is important to accompany them with change management tools, for example creating a heat map to understand the interests and policies of those involved and to From there, generate actions such as creating spaces for solving problems in a collaborative and playful way and monitoring the results of the different multidisciplinary teams through visual management. In these cases it is very good results to involve all levels of the organization, it is important to break down silos. I call flattening the pyramid or triangle.

A3 Problem Solving • Systemizes how opportunities (problems) are communicated throughout the organization. • Establishes a standardized problem-solving methodology that is easy for everyone to understand which potentiates communication. • Institutes A3 methodology: identify the problem, establish current state, set target(s), analyze root cause, form countermeasures and record outcomes. • Standardizes communication by reporting out to the stakeholders from all departments and disciplines therefore enabling a continuous system-wide feedback loop. • Serves as a template across the organization for similar opportunities (another form of feedback).

Overcoming communication barriers and silos requires a concerted effort and ongoing commitment. One thing I’ve found helpful is building project teams with various types of inexperienced people and departments. (but it should not be long term project, team members should get result even in a few weeks) As you know in a group of people there are chirpies, conflict lovers, introverts, cautious… and many more. First they should know-listen each other, then going through with the project, common task, we can say it is a kind of warm-up one and need to be monitored closely, then after getting to know each other you can address more rigorous projects.

In addition, adoption of a Communication app can help transform the culture to that of an inspired workplace. Such an app can mitigate some key issues - leadership and employee alignment, context, data availability, insights.

The leader of each department must understand and value the importance of how their job affects each part of the business. Congruency in leadership will break down the silos, which will lead to departmental efficiencies and encourage cross-functional communication & effectiveness. By creating a shared vision for the entire organization and by establishing common goals, each department can focus on what it needs to do to support the overall objectives. This creates a sense of unity and shared purpose throughout the organization.

It is important to consider or ensure leadership Involvement in communication efforts. Leaders should communicate the institution's or organization's values and goals consistently, fostering a sense of unity and purpose. Also, it wouldn't hurt to add in celebrating successes together because this fosters a positive atmosphere and reinforces the idea that everyone is working towards a common goal.

Des rituels d'animation réguliers, inter et intra services, offrent une plateforme pour aligner les objectifs, partager les progrès et résoudre les problèmes en temps réel. Le management visuel joue un rôle crucial, permettant ainsi aux équipes de comprendre rapidement les défis de chacun. En ayant une vue d'ensemble, les silos sont brisés et la collaboration est facilitée.Ces rituels d'animation favorisent une culture de responsabilité collective, où chaque membre de l'équipe est impliqué dans l'amélioration continue et la résolution des problèmes. En mettant en place une cadence régulière de communication et d'interaction, les obstacles sont identifiés plus rapidement et les solutions sont mises en œuvre de manière collaborative.