Whether it is for the application of Lean Six Sigma, project management or MS Project, the sooner we apply the material we learned, the better we will understand it and the longer it will be retained.

You may ask: “Why would I want to receive coaching if I have gone through training?” While training is essential for obtaining skills and knowledge, coaching makes sure that learning is applied in the real world. We truly want to bring our clients to a level where they become autonomous in applying the tools and or methodologies they have learned. Through effective listening, questioning and observing, we provide support to enhance the skills and knowledge that the customers already have or direct practitioners to the correct application tool.

Project or application coaching can be performed on-site or remotely and can involve an individual or t he project team (including project manager, team members and process owner). They can be scheduled on an ad-hoc or weekly, by-weekly or monthly (but temporarily) basis. However, r esearch of coaching effectiveness shows that a structured, proactive coaching approach where a schedule is followed leads to more successful project completion in comparison to an ad-hoc coaching approach ("Call me if you need me."). The table below offers some comparisons of coaching with and without proactive support:

 

Project and Belt Comparisons With and Without Proactive Coaching*
Points of Comparison	With Proactive Coaching Support	Without Proactive Coaching Support
Meeting initially defined project duration targets	90%	60%
Test results on tool interpretation six months after training ended	80%	50%
Project sponsor evaluating project as "very successful" or “better”	90%	75%

*Source: Andreas Kleinert from Valeocon