Arizona's Approach
The Arizona approach to continuous improvement is an intentional, results-driven method for fostering a culture of high performance in the work of state government.
Millions of Arizonans and countless visitors to our state value an efficient and responsive state government that delivers opportunities for a better life.
Arizona state employees at all levels implement continuous improvement, from senior executive leaders to critical front-line staff. The Government Transformation Office accelerates and facilitates operational excellence, efficiency and excellence in customer service.
The Arizona good government approach provides the methods and tools to drive and track continuous improvement in every state agency.
Changing the Culture
Building a better state government from the ground up
Achieving Statewide Success
The impacts of continuous improvement across the state
Substance abuse recovery for inmates
In Arizona prisons, the Recovery Support Specialist Program offers both substance abuse and recovery resources as well as job training for inmates through the Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Recovery.
Arizona’s transition to telework
The Industrial Commission relied on continuous improvement to make the transition to telework during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure excellent service to customers while reducing the community’s risk of exposure to COVID-19.
Developing and connecting state leaders
The State of Arizona Leaders Connect Program launched its first cohort in July 2022 to foster a pipeline of qualified leaders who are positioned to transition to executive leadership and connect across silos to better serve Arizonans.
Halfing wait time for residential facility licensing
In July 2017, the average time at the Arizona Department of Health Services for processing applications for residential facility licenses was 50 calendar days. Delays impact citizens’ access to licensed child care centers, assisted living, group homes and more.
Mitigating opioid impacts on workers' comp
Opioid use long-term or in high doses can lead to addiction and can delay a return to work. That’s why the Industrial Commission is working to reduce the impact of opioids in the Arizona workers' compensation system.
Elements of Arizona Continuous Improvement
An intentional, results-driven approach for doing the work of state government
A method for ensuring that the strategic goals and objectives of an organization drive activities at every level.
The scorecard is a visual tool used by agencies to measure and manage key agency performance metrics. The business review is typically conducted monthly and comprises a review of the scorecards, countermeasures, financials, agency strategic plan, progress and breakthrough projects.
Visual indicators enable quick, informed assessment of how a process is performing, whether standard work is being adhered to and if outcomes are being met.
Tiered huddles are brief daily or weekly meetings performed by teams using visual management to reflect on performance, identify and solve problems and commit to making adjustments. The tiered structure facilitates communication and problem solving at and between each level of the organization.
A documented set of behaviors and recurring activities that advance the continuous improvement culture. It helps create teachable moments, surfaces opportunities to improve processes and ensures high performance is sustained.
Gemba Walks are personal observations of work by leadership for confirming standardized work and providing coaching.
One-on-one coaching is the regular cadence of discussion between managers and individual staff for the purpose of developing employees and providing regular feedback.
The backbone of a continuous improvement culture, structured problem solving provides a standard method and effective set of problem solving tools for every employee.
These are game-changing performance improvements for select mission measures using problem solving skills and sustainment through the management system.
5S is a system for organizing electronic and physical spaces so work can be performed efficiently and effectively. The 5S’s are Sort, Set, Shine, Standardize and Sustain.
The documented, current one best way to perform a process. It is the foundation for the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle of continuous improvement.
Who We Are
About the Government Transformation Office
Deploying and sustaining a culture of continuous improvement
The Arizona Government Transformation Office was established in 2012 by an executive order to innovate and improve government processes, because the citizens of Arizona deserve to have the most efficient and effective government their tax dollars can provide.