Cooperative Learning and Cycle Time Reduction

Executive Summary If cycle times are to be continuously improved upon, organizations must look beyond the process-oriented areas in the organization to other more non-traditional areas. In addition, to uncover opportunities that have gone unnoticed, different perspectives on cycle time reduction and a willingness to try different approaches need to be adopted. In this article, cooperative learning is presented here both as a non-traditional tool to uncover cycle time reduction opportunities as well as a non-traditional methodology that organizations can employ to achieve improvements in cycle times. Cooperative learning exists when a group of people work together in an effort to maximize their own and each other’s learning while at the same time achieving the group’s work objectives. The argument to consider cooperative learning is a compelling one; the vast majority of research suggests that cooperative learning environments are more efficient and effective and produce products and services in a more timely manner. The article follows with a real-world case study of cooperative learning in action. A software development and support organization is presented to show how cooperative learning can be incorporated into an organization to reduce cycle times and improve organizational performance. The article concludes with lessons learned by the organization as well as recommendations for both management practitioners and researchers to consider. Introduction A great deal of interest has recently been generated about “learning organizations.” Senge (1990) suggests that organizations must adopt a learning mentality if they are to remain competitive in the future. Similarly, Meyer (1993) as well as Wetherbe (1995) have suggested that learning is a key ingredient in attaining a fast-cycle environment. In addition, Tracy and Wiersema (1995) suggest that many market-leading companies have improved their performance through the adoption of “shared learning” approaches. Clearly, if organizations are to continue experiencing cycle time improvements, the proactive structuring of learning in organizations will become imperative. Cooperative Learning and CTR