Caltrans said this week that it has finished nine projects as part of its Lean 6-Sigma program to streamline the California transportation agency and reduce wasteful operations to improve the agency’s services and save taxpayer money.
The program principally uses data-driven process management. The private sector and government agencies have started using this approach to detect waste and inefficiencies that are harming operations.
One way the Lean 6-Sigma project has improved efficiency is by changing the use, replacement and procurement process for approving new fleet vehicles and equipment. The process once took an average of 243 days -- and up to 400 days -- to replace equipment. The entire process now takes less than 90 days.
The agency also decreased the time needed to find new hires for field maintenance, reduced unreported labor expenses and decreased the time needed to process relocation agreements.
“The Lean 6-Sigma Program is vastly improving efficiency and operations within Caltrans,” Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty said. “The resulting improvements are having a direct and positive impact on how the department is able to do business, both internally and with the public.”
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