Last updated: March 29, 2008

Northern Improvement Network

Who is the Northern Improvement Network?

• Announcement
• Purpose
• Agenda

The Northern Improvement Network has been developed from the successful Southwest Quality Network (SWQN) which has been meeting since 1989. The Northern Improvement Network exists to facilitate communication and learning between people who are focused on making quality an organizational strategy. The following are expected results for each meeting:

• Learn to apply the necessary methods and tools supported by theory for predictable results
• Make connections with other organizations who are working on the same challenges
• Learn about new applications, ideas and insights from fellow participants
• Identify ideas for testing for your organization

The Network is open to all types of organizations, including industry, healthcare, government and educational institutions.  Associates in Process Improvement and Improvement Associates Ltd work with clients to co-sponsor this event.

These workshops are for people who are interested in methods to integrate improvement efforts into their business plans and execution using the Deming Philosophy.  The Network uses Deming’s System of Profound Knowledge to guide Network members in studying, creating, and integrating knowledge for improvement.  Visit www.apiweb.org for more information.

“Once the individual understands the system of profound knowledge, he will apply its principles in every kind of relationship with other people. He will have a basis for judgment of his own decisions and for transformation of the organizations that he belongs to.”

- W. Edwards Deming, The New Economics for Industry, Government, Education

Announcement

Northern Improvement Network

Inaugural Meeting 2006

Thursday to Friday

August 24-25, 2006

Vancouver, British Columbia

Canada

Meeting Objectives

• Learn from each other

• Share Successes, Obstacles and Failures

• Create Networks of Communications

Presentations

Presenters from all over the world will share their roadmaps for improvement. Materials will include API Presentations and copies of client presentations.

 2006 Location

Vancouver is the largest city in the province of British Columbia and the third largest city in Canada. It's surrounded by water on three sides and is nestled alongside the Coast Mountain Range. Vancouver is home to spectacular natural scenery and a bustling metropolitan core, and boasts one of the mildest climates in Canada.  Also, Vancouver is Host City of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

All major airlines fly into Vancouver International Airport (YVR).  Most major car rental companies are available at the airport and are conveniently located on the ground floor of the parkade.  Taxis are readily available outside both the Domestic and International terminals. Taxis charge a metered rate based on time and distance traveled and the approximate fare to downtown Vancouver is $26 Cdn.

For more information about visiting Vancouver and tourist activities, see http://www.tourismvancouver.com/visitors/  or http://vancouver.ca/visitors.htm

Accommodations

Meeting and guest rooms are located the Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Hotel.  Guest rooms are $160 per night plus applicable taxes.  Mention you are part of the “Northern Improvement Network” and book by August 8^th. 

Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Hotel

1128 West Hastings Street

Vancouver, BC V6E 4R5

Phone               1-604-684-1128

Toll-free           1-800-207-4150

Fax:                  1-604-298-1128

http://www.vancouvermarriott.com/index.htm

 Registration & Fees

All workshops include daily continental breakfasts, breaks and buffet lunch each day plus workshop materials.  Registration fee is $795 Cdn per person (includes GST) or $695 USD. Optional evening activities, travel and accommodations will be at the expense of the individual. Complete the following registration form to confirm your attendance.

Use the following hyperlinked form to register

Registration Form for Northern Improvement Network

Northern Improvement Network 2006

Detailed Agenda 

Prior to Session

• Register for session by Tuesday, August 8^th
• Prepare and bring storyboard to the session

 Context

Deming’s System of Profound Knowledge (theories of variation, systems, knowledge and psychology) guides Network members in studying, creating, and integrating knowledge for improvement. 

• View the organization as a system
• Importance of understanding variation as changes are made to a system
• How theory is built so that the system improves with knowledge
• How to get people to work together in a system

 Quality as a Business Strategy (QBS) operationalizes the theory into five Activities for Leaders. 

• Purpose Activity
• Systems Activity (linkage of processes, measures)
• System for Obtaining Information
• Planning Activity
• Managing Improvement Efforts

 Day One – Thursday, August 24^th

Day one provides an overview of these activities with examples that highlight successes, stumbles and learning along the way.  Participants will have an opportunity to assess their system and then work on building both a conceptual and detailed view.   

 Day Two – Friday, August 25^th

Participants will share their work from Day One and receive feedback from others.  The Model for Improvement and integrating people into the system will be explored in more detail.  Participants will leave the session with a plan on how to move these activities forward in their organizations.  

 © 2006 Associates in Process Improvement