Final Assignment – Learning Launch

By Komal Li

Challenge

I work in the planning department of a transit company. My team has been tasked with the challenge of  dissecting and redesigning our current process of bus stop checks. Bus stop checks are done twice each  day by different employee for the purpose of inspecting the physical stop for possible damage or  updating the posted transit schedule. Currently, each driver drives a pre-determined route that is  provided by the planning department. The driver is given the route printed out on paper from an excel  document at the beginning of each shift. The driver then progresses through the route, inspecting each  site, and writing down their evaluation on a pad of forms. After the driver completes the route, they  submit the completed forms back to the planning department where the information is transferred to  an electronic document.

While brainstorming this current process, the main issues and inefficiencies were identified as:

•  Missing forms that either need to be searched for and located, or are never found  •  Potential data entering errors while transferring the information from paper to electronic  •  Transferring the data is time consuming

Selection

Throughout the brainstorming process, it was quickly identified that there were a couple steps in the  current process that were outdated and could be modernized. Technology has become an easily  obtainable and inexpensive tool that can be implemented in order to maximize efficiency and minimize  room for error. Based off that assumption, it was clear that the learning launch tool would work best for  our challenge as we try to introduce technology into the process.

Application

For our learning launch, we introduced two tablets to be picked up by the driver at the beginning of  each shift. Once the driver signs into the tablet with the provided credentials, the tablet opens a link to a  form similar to Google Forms. The form outlines the route for the driver to take. Under each stop  address are the appropriate fillable fields to allow the driver to enter and save their notes directly on the  route schedule before proceeding to the next stop. The driver can also now use the tablet to take  images and upload the image with their comments. After the driver saves their comments, they are  automatically uploaded to a spreadsheet on the company server that is monitored by the planning  department.

Insight

Our learning launch resulted exactly how our team expected it to. The removal of paper forms instantly  saved the driver the time spent on filling out the form and writing their comments. The driver only had  positive feedback on no longer having to fill out each stop information on paper, as well as being able to  select the majority of their responses from a pre-determined drop-down menu.

The automatic uploading of each form eliminated the risk for error for incomplete and missing forms.  The time previously spent transferring the form information was also removed from the process, saving  the company time and money. Going electronic is also more environmentally friendly.

As we continue to use our new process and gather driver feedback, we may need to update the online  form. However now changes can be made easily and quickly by the planning department, instead of  having to order new paper forms with each update.

Approach

We are confident the learning launch tool was the best tool to use for our challenge. It was clear to our  team from the beginning that technology would improve all the issues and inefficiencies identified in our  brainstorming phase. As stated previously, there may need to be some minor adjustments made as the  rollout of the new process returns more user feedback. We also anticipate using the learning launch tool  in the future as technology advances and more options become available.


Final Assignment – Learning Launch By Komal Li Challenge I work in the planning department of a transit company . My team has been tasked with the challenge of dissecting and redesigning our current process of bus stop checks . Bus stop checks are done twice each day by different employee for the purpose of inspecting the physical stop for possible damage or updating the posted transit schedule . Currently , each driver drives a pre - determined route that is provided by the planning department . The driver is given the route printed out on paper from an excel document at the beginning of each shift . The driver then progresses through the route , inspecting each site , and writing down their evaluation on a pad of forms . After the driver completes the route , they submit the completed forms back to the planning department where the information is transferred to an electronic document . While brainstorming this current process , the main issues and inefficiencies were identified as : • Missing forms that either need to be searched for and located , or are never found • Potential data entering errors while transferring the information from paper to electronic • Transferring the data is time consuming Selection Throughout the brainstorming process , it was quickly identified that there were a couple steps in the current process that were outdated and could be modernized . Technology has become an easily obtainable and inexpensive tool that can be implemented in order to maximize efficiency and minimize room for error . Based off that assumption , it was clear that the learning launch tool would work best for our challenge as we try to introduce technology into the process . Application For our learning launch , we introduced two tablets to be picked up by the driver at the beginning of each shift . Once the driver signs into the tablet with the provided credentials , the tablet opens a link to a form similar to Google Forms . The form outlines the route for the driver to take . Under each stop address are the appropriate fillable fields to allow the driver to enter and save their notes directly on the route schedule before proceeding to the next stop . The driver can also now use the tablet to take images and upload the image with their comments . After the driver saves their comments , they are automatically uploaded to a spreadsheet on the company server that is monitored by the planning department . Insight Our learning launch resulted exactly how our team expected it to . The removal of paper forms instantly saved the driver the time spent on filling out the form and writing their comments . The driver only had positive feedback on no longer having to fill out each stop information on paper , as well as being able to select the majority of their responses from a pre - determined drop - down menu . The automatic uploading of each form eliminated the risk for error for incomplete and missing forms . The time previously spent transferring the form information was also removed from the process , saving the company time and money . Going electronic is also more environmentally friendly . As we continue to use our new process and gather driver feedback , we may need to update the online form . However now changes can be made easily and quickly by the planning department , instead of having to order new paper forms with each update . Approach We are confident the learning launch tool was the best tool to use for our challenge . It was clear to our team from the beginning that technology would improve all the issues and inefficiencies identified in our brainstorming phase . As stated previously , there may need to be some minor adjustments made as the rollout of the new process returns more user feedback . We also anticipate using the learning launch tool in the future as technology advances and more options become available .