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Leading the way is practically written into the job description of every noncommissioned officer serving in the Army.
For Sgt. 1st Class Nanette Williams, a plans and telecommunications chief with the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, leading the way includes persistently improving the planning processes for the 21st TSC’s communications exercises using Lean Six Sigma.
Sergeant Williams, an LSS green belt candidate with the 21st TSC communications directorate, became aware that the planning and operations cells in her directorate were simultaneously doing the same tasks. She decided to create an LSS project to try and improve this process.
“Green belt is the first level. Basically, you’re a project lead on improving a process within your organization,” Sergeant Williams said. “As NCOs, we always see things and say, ‘hey, this can be improved.’ LSS is a way to make improvements using a step-by-step process.”
Sergeant Williams simplified this process with the help of her team. They prepared a database that allowed users to monitor all the exercises being planned for 21st TSC units.
LSS identifies and removes the causes of defects and helps minimize inconsistencies in the planning processes within the Army. Sergeant Williams’ team developed a checklist to ensure equipment is not forgotten and money is not being wasted.
Over the next seven years, the command anticipates more than $55 million in financial benefits — that is cost saving and cost avoidance, said Lt. Col. Tom Hays, chief of operations research and systems analysis for the 21st TSC. Cost savings is real money the Army does not have to spend. Cost avoidance is saving people time so they can do additional missions.
“I think it’s great that Sergeant First Class Williams is close to completing her project, and I believe she will be a good example for others to follow,” Colonel Hays said. “The Army does a lot of things very well, but the things they do best are things NCOs lead.”
Sergeant Williams, who is working on her doctorate degree in organizational leadership, is being assigned to the U.S. Army Information Technology Agency where she will work under Gen. George W. Casey Jr., the chief of staff of the Army. Sergeant Williams said she believes her knowledge of LSS was one of the determining factors in her getting chosen for the assignment.
“Lean Six Sigma is a great program, and I wish other NCOs would get involved,” she said. “Visit some of the green belts that are doing projects and get some ideas on how to make your directorate user friendly.”
“Army programs work best when NCOs lead the way,” Colonel Hays added. “LSS is no different.”
