Bend the Curve Projects

Fifteen teams began work on a variety of Bend the Curve projects in the Fall of 2004. Projects were selected by the Bend the Curve Steering Committee based on the following criteria:

• Number of customers/people impacted;
• Potential to improve intradepartmental coordination;
• Potential to improve service;
• Potential to save money; and
• Potential to improve efficiency.

Of those 15 original teams, 14 are currently working on projects and remain engaged in the process. Teams are meeting periodically, some weekly, to complete review processes and make recommendations.

Project team roles and responsibilities

Recommendations don't have to come only from people working on teams - you can participate in Bend the Curve every day. BTC is about changing how we think about the work we do. It is not only about the projects we have rolled out en masse, but it is also about sitting at our desks questioning why it is we're doing a particular job a certain way; or, even why we are doing that particular job in the first place - does it add value for our customer, or someone down the line? These are some examples of how suggestions from you can be implemented to save money and improve services.

• John Bouchard, from BES in Portland, sent the following - "I recently sent an email to Dale Hinds and Craig Locke about having a link on the public IC computers for our CC local web page. OSOS self registration was designed to have workshops and events available for people to see. This component has never been developed. We are using our web page to let individuals know about our workshops, recruitment, programs etc.. As it is now we make hundreds of copies monthly for people about workshop information. I spoke to Craig Locke today and he made the link. Now people who are using the computer can see who is recruiting, job fair info, workshop schedules, UP speaker list etc.."