An interview with Forrest Breyfogle about high-impact process improvement was conducted in March 2023. Below is the questions Bob Morris asked Forrest. Forrest’s responses to these questions are in the two provided links.
Interview with Forrest Breyfogle Part 1
“Forrest Breyfogle III on High-Impact Process Improvement: Part 1 of an interview by Bob Morris” provides Forrest’s responses to the following questions:
- Question 1: Before discussing your latest book, Minitab and Lean Six Sigma, here are a few general questions.
First, was there a turning point (if not an epiphany) years ago that set you, Forrest Breyfogle, on the career course you continue to follow? Please explain.
- Question 2: Who and what has had the most significant impact on developing your thoughts about process improvement? How so?
- Question 3: One of my favorite quotes, which I would like you to respond to, is from Peter Drucker, who stated: “There is surely nothing quite so useless as doing with great efficiency what should not be done at all.”
- Question 4: What are the defining characteristics of a workplace culture where personal growth and professional development are most likely to thrive?
- Question 5: Looking ahead (let’s say) in 3-5 years, what will be the most significant challenge CEOs will face? Any advice?
Interview with Forrest Breyfogle Part 2
“Forrest W, Breyfogle III on high impact process improvement: Part 2 of an interview by Bob Morris” provides Forrest’s responses to the following questions:
- Question 6: Please focus on your book Minitab and Lean Six Sigma. For those who have not as yet read it, hopefully, your responses to these questions will stimulate their interest and, better yet, encourage them to purchase a copy and read the book ASAP. First, when and why did you decide to write it?
- Question 7: Were there any head-snapping revelations while writing this book? Please explain.
- Question 8: To what extent (if any) does the book in its final form differ significantly from what you originally envisioned?
- Question 9: Having read and then reviewed most of your previously published books, I think your latest series seems to converge your most important insights over the years. The interdependence of Minitab and Lean Six Sigma, for example, and the practical wisdom of Albert Einstein’s suggestion to “make everything as simple as possible but no simpler.” Is that a fair assessment?
- Question 10: What are the unique benefits of the Enterprise Improvement Plan (EIP) that you examine in the book?
- Question 11: What are the most important dos and don’ts to remember when adequately aligning a process improvement project with goals and measuring efforts to achieve them?
- Question 12: In Leading Change: The Argument for Values-Based Leadership, James O’Toole suggests that the most significant resistance to change initiatives is usually cultural, resulting from what he aptly characterizes as “the ideology of comfort and the tyranny of custom.” What are your thoughts about that?
- Question 13: For those unfamiliar with 30,000-foot-level Metric Reporting, what does it involve, and why is that of unique importance?
- Question 14: How can a Lean Six Sigma mindset improve the enhancing process?
- Question 15: What is the unique value of that mindset to establishing a workplace culture within which innovation is most likely to thrive?
- Question 16: Please complete this sentence: “If those who read this book gain nothing else, I want them to have a much better understanding of how to….”
- Question 17: Which material you provide in Minitab and Lean Six Sigma will be most valuable to those now preparing for a business career or who have only recently embarked on one? Please explain.
- Question 18: To the owner/CEOs of small-to-midsize companies? Please explain.
- Question 19: To C-level executives in Fortune 500 companies?
- Question 20: What question did you hope I would ask but didn’t? What would be your response to that question?