Measurement driven results in a compressed time frame
Fastrack Teams^sm is a rapid resolution process that provides measurement results in a compressed timeframe - and with a clearly specified budget.

It is a powerful change process that examines a specific, urgent issue and implements timely corrective action. The key ingredient in the process is tapping into the right people in the organization that can quickly analyze the situation, find the solutions, and implement the solutions immediately.

How Fastrack Teams differ from other teams

Rapid Resolution
Making cross-functional change using traditional methods can be a long, frustrating exercise in endurance.  Employee surveys, long-term intervention programs, and other organizational development tools take time to research and implement. In many instances, a performance issue requires immediate attention and immediate action.

Fastrack Teams is a powerful change process that examines a specific, urgent issue and implements timely corrective action.  The key ingredient in the process is tapping into the right people in the organization that can quickly analyze the situation, find the solutions, and implement the solutions immediately.

Why Use Fastrack Teams?

Fastrack Teams is the ideal intervention process to:

• Solve persistent problems
• Achieve the “ideal”
• Eliminate staff dissatisfaction over perceived inaction
• Replace existing teams that take forever to get things done and get nowhere
• Achieve measurement driven results in a compressed timeframe

What Can Be Expected

The proactive Fastrack Teams decision process provides immediate results, including:

• Clear identification of problems
• High level commitment to action
• High involvement of those who will be affected
• Reduction in conflict; improved staff relations
• Creative solutions from energized members
• Fast start-up, implementation and results

Empowerment Enables the Process

The Fastrack Team process is appropriate for any group of people (functional or cross-functional) who are committed to resolving a specific business objective.

IRI recommends that the team consist of 8 to 12 members representing management and employees. It is mandatory that  a high-level management person be assigned as the team sponsor.  Other management or associates can be involved in the team on an “as needed” basis through an option called the “open chair.”

Members are selected by their role in the organization and their ability to make decisions.  They are charged with the task to review a problem situation and to implement a solution to enhance the performance of their organization.  This empowers the members to create a “must solve” mandate and integrate the solutions into their ongoing operations.

How The Process Works

Fastrack Teams produce deliverables and results in a concentrated timeframe.  The process is:

• Sponsored by leadership with the power/authority to provide resources and remove barriers
• Focused on accomplishing one specific charge at a time
• Empowered team to act within prescribed boundaries
• Well designed communication plan
• Accomplishments celebrated and rewarded
• Established measures of success

Rules

To be effective, there are a few basic rules of the Fastrack Teams process, including:

• Key decision-makers must be accessible during the process and be within 100 miles of the facility
• Nothing is informationally or operationally sacred
• Strict confidentiality is observed - now and always
• Team members have a “must solve” mandate

Results Framework

One task of the sponsor is to design a roadmap of what needs to be done.  The boundaries determine the team’s playing field and may be stated as requirements, expectations, or constraints.  Results are achieved within this playing field, with the sponsor’s agreement to support team decisions within the set boundaries.

The Results Framework for this rapid resolution process can be customized for individual interventions, but nominally includes:

• Fastrack Team Issue;  the source of concern.
• Background; such as additional positioning, facts, or perspectives that add clarity.
• Charge to the Team; specific results that are expected of the team (i.e. outcome and deliverables).
• Consequences of Failure to Achieve the Charge; what, if anything will happen if we do nothing.
• Constraints;  the boundaries that limit the team’s “playing field.” Typically these will include cost, quality, agreement/collaboration, and time.
• Resources; distinct from the constraints that set the boundary of the solution, these are the tools available to the team to achieve its charge.
• Measure of Success; the measures that determine if the outcome is achieved.
• Communication; a description of how the team will solicit and disseminate the information from other affected parties.

Note: Fastrack Teams is a registered Service Mark (SM) of IRI Consultants to Management, Inc. All rights reserved.