Plus Delta
How often do you hear something like, “If I have one more meeting I’m going to scream.” or “If I didn’t have so many meetings I could finally get some work done.” This is certainly the common feeling about meetings. They seem to be extra, unnecessary, and a waste of time.
The sad truth is that some of them are a waste of time. However they are necessary, and real work can be done in them. They just need to be done well. One of the continuous improvement tools that I find very helpful to improve meetings is called Plus Delta.
It is a given that every meeting should have an agenda with a purpose statement at the top. And every meeting should have an agenda item, Plus Delta, at the bottom. Plus Delta is used to evaluate the meeting and to improve the next one.
Doing a Plus Delta is a simple matter. The best way is to have a flipchart and a large felt tipped marker. You begin by putting a large “T” on the paper. Above the left arm of the “T”, write a large + sign. Above the right arm of the “T” write the Greek letter, Δ . As engineers we are used to using Δ to symbolize a change, and you will see that is the way we use it in a Plus Delta.
After the basic format is drawn on the flipchart, begin by asking everyone, “What was good about today’s meeting?” As the individual comments are made, write them below the PLUS arm of the “T”. Be careful to write exactly what the person says. See the example below.
When comments about what was good about the meeting are exhausted, ask, “What could we change about the meeting that would make it better the next time we have one?” Write these comments below the Δ arm of the “T”. Don’t fall into the trap of talking about what was bad about the meeting. Truly look for what could be changed about the way this meeting was held that, if changed, would make the next one much better.
Don’t be surprised when people want to jump back and forth between the PLUS and Δ sides of the “T” as they review the meeting. This is perfectly normal and should be accommodated. When everyone is finished making comments, go to the Δ side of the “T” and say, “How can we accomplish this suggested change, and who is going to do it?” Work your way down the list of Δ’s until each has been discussed and assigned. Sometimes it will become apparent that the suggested change was a silly idea and can be dismissed or that it is an ideal that no one can figure out how to accomplish and therefore can be put on hold for further consideration.
The Δ discussion step is critical to the success of using the Plus Delta tool. If it is not done, it defeats the purpose of using the tool. If it isn’t done well, the validity and value will be questioned, and its future use is in jeopardy.
Here is an example of a Plus Delta from a recent meeting.
+ Δ
Plus Delta is such a simple tool it could
appear trivial. But if used
regularly and used
well, you will be very pleased with the results.