In the workplace, theneed for good remote tools is growing. Astools evolve and more tools are added, it can be challenging to find the right tools.
Here is a summary of the most common and perhaps most useful tools for Lean and Lean Six Sigma projects in remote teamwork.
Teleconferencing applications
Perhaps the most used remote meeting applications are Teams and Zoom. Both are really the most functional for remote facilitation. It is worth exploring the possibilities of the applications:
- Small group work (breakout rooms)
- Different ways for participants to react (Chat, request to speak and thumbs up, etc.)
- Polls
- Shareable whiteboard (more on these below)
Digital whiteboards
There are many different types of digital whiteboards with varying features and functionalities. The most common are Flinga, Jamboard, Miro, Mural, Microsoft Whiteboard and Zoom Whiteboard. They can be divided into three categories according to their intended use:
1. Whiteboards for beginners, for light remote collaboration
Flinga and Google Jamboard are easy to use and suitable for the novice remote facilitator for short sessions and light visualisation in group work. Both can be used as free versions. For facilitating Lean (Six Sigma) projects, the limits of the application are quickly reached.
2. Whiteboards for more demanding use
Mural and Miro are good whiteboards for more demanding remote facilitation. Both whiteboards are really versatile digital whiteboards with lots of facilitation features, ready-made whiteboard templates and whiteboard styling options. Mural and Miro allow you to use different ways of working, which makes facilitation easier, especially for longer sessions. Both applications also make it easy to work in groups, e.g. on value stream mapping.
Both applications require initial learning, but are a worthwhile investment of time in Lean (Six Sigma) projects.
The differences between Mural and Miro are mostly a matter of preference. The major distinctions lie in pricing and integration capabilities with other systems. Miro might be slightly easier to learn to use.
3. Whiteboards as part of a collaborative platform
Microsoft Whiteboard in Teams and Zoom Whiteboard in Zoom are whiteboard applications that only work as part of their collaboration platform. They are well suited for intra-organisational working, but do not allow for as extensive facilitation possibilities as Mural and Miro.
Google and Microsoft 365 tools to share
Google provides tools for organisations with Google Workspace to collaborate on documents of all kinds:
- Google Jamboard A web application for collaborative blogging and sticky note writing.
- Google Slides for co-editable slides
- Google Docs for collaborative documents
- Google Sheets for collaborative editable spreadsheets
Similarly, you can work on shared documents with Microsoft 365 products. If you use Microsoft 365 Business, you can log, save and share Word/PPT/Excel/OneNote files via Microsoft 365 (if your organisation allows sharing).
Card-based web applications
Trello is a card-style, easy-to-use tool, especially suitable for work management. Cards can be added, edited (text, images, links, attachments), organised and dragged to different lists.
Padlet is a free, browser-based, Trello-type virtual wall where participants can add pictures, videos and texts as sticky notes. Padlet comes with several templates, e.g. Canvas and Map.
Specific applications
Finally, a few tools for participation and interaction through surveys, quizzes and word clouds: Mentimeter, Slido and Prezi.
I hope this summary helps you to see the different possibilities.
When choosing tools, I recommend focusing on a few tools you have tried and tested and concentrate on them, so that remote working does not focus too much on technique at the expense of content.
Please contact us if you have any questions or other thoughts and experiences about working remotely.
If you are interested in Lean trainings, where you can learn how to use the tools more extensively, you can check out the training offerings at the link Lean trainings .
Lean Six Sigma,
Certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt
