Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Engineering (IMSE) successfully delivered the eighth Newport News Shipbuilding Facilitation and Continuous Improvement Class during the week of Nov. 27.

The 40-hour course was custom built to offer new and seasoned shipbuilders alike a high-level overview of the skills and methodologies used to successfully facilitate meetings, projects and events at NNS. It also offered a high-level overview of continuous improvement and how it helps NNS improve quality and increase customer satisfaction.

The course was developed and led by Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Michael Lynk (X51) to help programs and business units better support the NNSFORWARD Strategy.

“I found myself greatly inspired by challenges placed before us from NNS presidents Mike Petters and Jennifer Boykin for each of us to improve our ability to communicate and collaborate more effectively as a critical means to improve quality and safety,” Lynk said. “I like to emphasize that the intent of continuous improvement is to encourage NNS shipbuilders to systematically design and execute every step of our processes to be BEST (Better Every Single Time).”

According to Lynk, nearly 130 people have successfully completed these classes to date, with attendees ranging from Master Shipbuilders to two summer interns.

“The most effective and thought-provoking portion of the training was identifying disruptive behaviors and utilizing tools to help diffuse those behaviors yet still conducting a meaningful meeting,” said Doris McNair, manager of Vault Services, who recently completed the course.

Similarly, John Poteet Jr., manager of Facilities Maintenance, said he felt this class would equip him with a “better understanding of identifying opportunities for improving my team’s performance and reducing waste in their processes.”

The NNS Facilitation and Continuous Improvement Class is offered quarterly at NNS. To request enrollment, email Michael Lynk.