City of Detroit Employees - Interested in applying for Green Belt Training? 

Sign up at www.bitly.com/codleantraining

You will be contacted by a member of the Lean team regarding next steps. If you would like more information about Lean Green Belt training, contact a member of the Lean Team or email [email protected].

Lean Team Mission

Improve existing City processes and stand up new ones so that they are functional, efficient, and useful to all customers and stakeholders, and so that things are working well for Detroiters!

Build capacity and skills of the City of Detroit and affiliates for process improvement, data-informed decision making, and technology-enabled solutions.

The Lean Team works to build a vision of the City of Detroit as follows:

The City of Detroit…

• Successfully provides resident-first, customer-centric service to all Detroiters, regardless of their background or individual needs, via simple, reliable, timely, streamlined, and technologically advanced processes. 
• Is a continuously improving organization that embraces and promotes change. 
• Works cohesively across branches, agencies, departments and functions as a team. 

Is constantly learning and seeking the best way to provide comprehensive solutions to our residents and external stakeholders

Lean Team Values

Collaboration: we work together in cross-functional teams to develop the best solution possible for our residents.

Humility: we find the best idea, no matter who comes up with it, and learn from and respect prior efforts as we work to improve on them.

Growth Mindset: we set an example of openness to learning and sharing new things and ways of solving problems.

Creativity: we try to bring a different lens, spark new ideas, and draw on other references and inspiration.

Transparency: we look into and share all possible processes, systems, and solutions to build trust and allow us to see where things can be improved.

Equity & Equality: we engage all stakeholders and develop solutions for all Detroiters, meeting folks where they are, regardless of their background or individual needs.

Patient Diligence: we are persistent and polite, strive for optimal timing and efficient project leadership, while also defaulting to action.

Quality: we strive to produce the optimal, most durable solution for the short and long-term.

What is Lean?

At the most basic level, Lean is a set of process management practices and decision making tools.  The goals of Lean are consistent across all industries and departments: reduce waste and improve Quality, Speed, Cost, Safety, and Morale.  Improving all five areas will support long-term success for the organization and everyone involved—including customers, employees, owners, suppliers and other stakeholders.

Lean has already been applied in manufacturing (factories, product design, and administrative functions) and service industries (including healthcare, banking, and government). The City of Detroit is one of the first municipalities in the United States to implement focused Lean initiatives, practices and development. 

How is the City of Detroit using Lean now?

The City of Detroit officially launched a Lean program in 2013 when Mayor Duggan asked for help from local consulting companies.  

Below, under DOCUMENTS, are a few example of projects and processes that have been improved by someone going though Green Belt Training & Certification in the document section.