As I posted recently on LinkedIn, here are some photos and a story from years ago.
Signs are not mistake-proofing. Signs are not adequate process controls.
“Please do not park stretchers or carts in the hallway.”
I'm quite certain that stretchers and carts are ALWAYS in this hospital hallway unless they know The Joint Commission is coming…
A smart-ass employee might say, “It's OK, we parked stretchers AND carts in the hallway, not OR.”
And to be clear, I'm not blaming the employees who placed the stretcher and carts there. They might not have enough “real” storage space or that space might not be the least bit convenient. The sign doesn't instruct anyone where TO park them.
This is a systemic problem.
The sign said nothing about stools and tables (or desks?):
Does your organization face this challenge? What can be done about it other than ensuring that proper (and convenient) storage space is available for such items?
You can also join the discussion on my LinkedIn post.
Please scroll down (or click) to post a comment. Connect with me on LinkedIn.
Let’s work together to build a culture of continuous improvement and psychological safety. If you're a leader looking to create lasting change—not just projects—I help organizations:
- Engage people at all levels in sustainable improvement
- Shift from fear of mistakes to learning from them
- Apply Lean thinking in practical, people-centered ways
Interested in coaching or a keynote talk? Let’s start a conversation.
