September 24 – January 14

CPIM Part 2 Certification Review Course – ASCM/APICS

With the reconfiguration, ASCM/APICS has taken the four detailed and strategy modules and streamlined them into a single course and exam that examines the planning and execution hierarchy from high level planning to detailed shop-floor management. Examining in greater detail the concepts presented in Part 1 of the CPIM series, this module provides a framework for planning and decision making that examines the strategies and their implications on the operations functions throughout the supply chain.

September 27 – November 15

Execution and Control of Operations (APICS CPIM Certification Review Course)

Gary Langenwalter taught Execution and Control of Operations certification review course for the Portland Chapter of APICS, the Operations Management Association, at the PCC Sylvania Campus.

This course focuses on three main areas: prioritizing and sequencing work; executing work plans, implementing controls, and reporting activity results; and evaluating and providing feedback on performance. The course explains techniques for scheduling and controlling production processes, the execution of quality initiatives and continuous improvement plans, and the control and handling of inventories. Topics include:

• Prioritizing and Sequencing work to be performed: Interfaces; Production Environment; Scheduling Production and Process Operations.
• Executing the Plans, Implementing Physical Controls, and reporting Results of activities Performed: Authorizing and Reporting Activities for Push Systems; Authorizing and Reporting Activities for Pull Systems; Production Status Reports; Communicating Both Internal and External Customer-Supplier Information; Controlling Resources; Executing Quality Initiatives; Eliminating Waste; Implementing Continuous Improvement Plan.
• Evaluating Performance and providing Feedback; Evaluating Quality Management Processes; Monitoring Supplier Performance; Evaluating the Performance of Production Operations; Cost Management Process.

January 13 – March 2
Strategic Management of Resources (APICS CPIM Certification Review Course)

Gary Langenwalter taught Strategic Management of Resources certification review course for the Portland Chapter of APICS, the Operations Management Association, at the PCC Sylvania Campus.

This course explores the relationship of existing and emerging processes and technologies to manufacturing strategy and supply chain-related functions. The course addresses three main topics: aligning resources with the strategic plan, configuring and integrating operating processes to support the strategic plan, and implementing change. Topics include:

• Aligning the Resources with the Strategic Plan: Competitive Market Issues; Choices Affecting Facilities; Choices Affecting the Supply Chain; Choices Affecting the Information Technology; Choices Affecting Organizational Design.
• Configuring and Integrating the Operating Processes to Support the Strategic Plan: Configuring and Integrating the Priority Planning Processes; Configuring and Integrating the Capacity Planning Processes; Configuring and Integrating Design and Development Processes; Configuring and Integrating Cost Management Processes.
• Implementing Change: Evaluating and Managing Projects; Measuring Organizational Performance; Managing Change in an Organization.

September 21 – November 23 

Basics of Supply Chain Management (APICS CPIM Certification Review Course)

Gary Langenwalter taught the Basics of Supply Chain Management certification review course for the Portland Chapter of APICS, the Operations Management Association, at the PCC Sylvania Campus.

This course covers the basic concepts in managing the complete flow of materials in a supply chain from suppliers to customers, covering fundamental relationships in the design, planning, execution, monitoring, and control that occur. The course covers manufacturing, distribution, service, and retail industries.

Topics include:

• Understanding basic businesswide concepts, including understanding various supply chain environments
• Managing demand, including markets and customer expectations
• Designing products, processes, and information systems
• Understanding supply issues including inventory costs, functions, and metrics
• Using improvement techniques, including Lean, Quality, and Theory of Constraints

May 21 – The Secret of Powerful Communication

APICS – the Operations Management Association, Portland Chapter.  At the monthly Professional Development dinner meeting, Gary Langenwalter led an experiential exercise demonstrating that the power in communication lies in the listening instead of the speaking.

April 1: Resolving Conflict (Food For Thought). Benson Hotel, 11:45 – 1:30

Afraid of conflict?  Has conflict damaged relationships, destroyed productivity, and hurt morale?

With diverse personalities, competing agendas and increasing pressures, conflict seems inevitable. Because conflict can be demoralizing and costly, it is usually seen as something to avoid at all costs. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Conflict contains a lot of energy and opportunity. What if you could harness conflict as a catalyst to fuel innovation?

This experiential workshop outlines several strategies and tactics for dealing effectively with conflict, such as honoring the speaker, the 3 primary conflict styles, and others.  Then you’ll get to choose one or two and practice them in a highly supportive environment.

One participant said, “Informative and insightful!  I’m glad I came, and I wish my boss had been here.”

March 31 – May 12: Detailed Scheduling and Planning (APICS CPIM Certification Review Course)

Gary Langenwalter taught the Detailed Scheduling and Planning certification review course for the Portland Chapter of APICS, the Operations Management Association, at the PCC Sylvania Campus.

Detailed Scheduling and Planning covers a working knowledge of the tools and techniques for planning of inventory, including planning techniques such as MRP, CRP, lean, TOC, and projects. Students learn the effect of using each technique; know standard measurements for inventory, materials, capacity and supplier performance; and recognize when to escalate issues. Topics include:

• Managing inventory, planning material requirements, planning capacity requirements, and procurement and supplier planning
• Recognizing the importance of supply chain management and deploying supply chain strategies related to scheduling, planning, and sourcing
• Translating product-level plans and schedules generated at the master planning level into requirements that can be procured or produced
• Bridging the master planning area with the execution and control function
• Planning, scheduling, resource allocation, and implementing projects that are used to manage the supply of products and services

March 4: How to Get Management to Support Change (Food For Thought). Benson Hotel, 11:45 – 1:30

Ideas cannot succeed unless management supports them.

• Do you feel like you’re talking to a wall?
• What’s the cost of your unsupported ideas, for you and for your team?
• Does your boss say he/she supports your ideas, but not follow through?

This experiential workshop outlines several strategies and tactics for garnering management commitment for change.  You’ll get to examine these in a highly supportive environment, with worksheets to take back to your office.  We’ll help you create powerful questions that can increase your probability of success.

One participant said, “I really learned a lot.  Thank you.”

February 4: Having Difficult Conversations – SUCCESSFULLY! (Food For Thought). Benson Hotel, 11:45 – 1:30

• Are you putting off conversations regarding someone’s performance?
• How do you tell your boss that he/she is making a big mistake?
• What if you could have a difficult conversation in such a way that the outcome is positive and successful?

Participants learned practical tools and techniques on how to successfully conduct difficult conversations.  Participants practiced using the tools hands-on, in a safe environment.  This workshop helped participants develop better rapport with your boss, co-workers, and staff.  They can also use these same tools in personal relationships, leading to increased happiness.  Greg Sievers and Gary Langenwalter led the workshop.

One participant said, “The take-away steps to work with are valuable.”  Another said, “The ‘how do I begin’ suggestions were helpful.” 

December 3: OD Fundamentals (OODN and Cascade Employers Association), Tualatin. 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Gary Langenwalter presented a 2-hour hands-on workshop on “Process Improvement”, integrating the learnings from Lean and Quality.   He had table groups working on value stream maps and fishbone diagrams.  http://www.odnoregon.org/events/od-fundamentals-fall-2014.pdf

Gary has also presented the same workshop internally for 3 organizations (one for-profit, one not-for-profit, and one government).

One participant said, “Great problem-solving strategies.”  Another said, “Well organized and well presented.  Thank you.”  

November 14: Project Management Institute, PMI Con-Way Round Table.  Breakfast Meeting.

Greg Sievers and Gary Langenwalter led a dialogue on “Being Authentic and Truthful”.  Authenticity is a key competency for project leaders – for all leaders.  This workshop was entirely experiential.

 

November 5: Unleashing High-Performing Teams (Food For Thought). Benson Hotel.  Lunch Meeting.

Most teams are plow horses, just getting the job done, more or less.  Any team can be a high-performing team.  Greg Sievers and Gary Langenwalter presented how to unleash a high-performing team, including the powerful tool, a Team Improvement Review.

Three participants liked the Team Improvement Review process.  One said, “Team Improvement Review concept was interesting and relevant.”