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Focus on how work is done

Operational learning "Blue line/Black line" exists in everyday work. Understanding the gap between the Design of Work (WAI) and how work has to get done (WAD) provides valuable insights to the organization to learn and improve work.

The 4Ds™ is a storytelling method for workers to share what doesn't make sense, where work is frustrating to get the job done, those risky or challenging situations, where work is harder than it should be, or more demanding/taxing on people than normal, and where work is different, changing or surprising.

Dumb (Sense Making)

Situation, task, process, or control that doesn’t make sense or frustrates you.

Difficult

Unusual, difficult or demanding situation, task, process or control.

Dangerous

Risky or challenging task, process, situation or hazard.

Different

Changed or surprising situation, activity, task or control.

Using the 4Ds™ for frontline worker insights and building self improving teams

The 4D's™ are a simple and easy conversation to have, but the act of asking the questions (and then making improvements based on the information received) has led to greater engagement, better worker perceptions of leadership, and numerous opportunities to improve the operational capacity for achieving more reliably successful work outcomes. 

4Ds™in action in the Oil and Gas Industry with Energy Safety Canada

4Ds™in Action with NZ Business Leaders Forum and Mitchell Services

Introduction to the 4Ds™with Jeffery Lyth

Use of the 4Ds in Logistics, Distributon and Warehousing Industry

Using the 4Ds in the field with PLAUD AI device and HOPCoPilot AI Agent

Using the 4Ds™ for Leader Led Safety Conversations 

Leader-led Safety Conversations are different. They are about Leaders learning from those who do the work and helping to ensure the number of acceptable outcomes (work that goes well ) is as high as possible. By wanting to learn and improve the work environment in this way, we create the opportunity for learning at the worker, workgroup and organizational levels.
Operational Learning Cards For Leaders

3L and the 4D Leader Led Insight Cards

Worker Operational Learning Conversation Cards

4D and the 4L Work Insight Cards

Worker Operational Learning Conversation Cards

4D Bilingual Conversation Cards