Good safety  practices create a culture of anticipating possible events and planning ahead to maximize our likelihood of achieving safe outcomes.  In our previous article, we looked at the four point workplace program and how it is already Agile.  A question to ask now of EHS is, given the fast cadence to which the world operates, how do we adapt the old four point workplace program?

Decide Consulting’s approach to ERM systems is to use software to create a safety culture.  A robust ERM system combined with an Agile approach to safety can create a culture focusing on adaptability, people, quality over quantity, clear KPIs and continuous improvement.

1) FOCUS CONSTANTLY ON OBJECTIVES

Managing risk requires a constant focus on objectives (the “why”).  Objectives are our reason for doing what we do. The risks we identify to our objectives are what our EHS teams should be focusing on.  An integrated incident management process, investigation workflow and robust action item tracking keep our teams engaged on today’s objectives.  An ERM implementation that can demonstrate Business Value Delivered KPIs keep our safety teams engaged.

2) CREATE THE PROPER WORK ENVIRONMENT AND CULTURE

The work environment determines how people manage risk.  An agile approach to ERM equips leaders with insights and advice to ensure their work environment and culture nurtures the right approach to managing risk.  Focusing on improving metrics like team tenure and phone-a-friend stats (all of which can be measured as KPIs in an executive dashboard (link to Dash View page)

3) BE PRAGMATIC IN MANAGING RISK

Most organizations have a risk framework, perhaps labelled an ERM framework, describing how they manage risk. A fresh look at ERM is an opportunity to ensure all frameworks and procedures use common measurements focused on quantity over quality.  Making sure that all teams have a risk burndown shown over time creates this pragmatism.

4) TRACK THE VALUE ADDED BY RISK MANAGEMENT

As long as you plan for it, you can quantify risks and the cost of actions and controls that are agreed as required.  You can measure the value of actions and controls against the effectiveness of how the risk is managed, which most ERM systems achieve today.  Add in Agile metrics like Escaped Defects and Cost Per Corrective Action keep the team alert to delivering quality.

ERM provides many benefits to organizations. Today’s world is being disrupted and is more tightly integrated than ever before. To respond to this, consider focusing your ERM implementations on measuring four steps outlined above.

For help in choosing an ERM solution or adapting your existing ERM solution to include Agile KPIs, contact us.

Decide Consulting is a software and IT Staffing firm based in Houston, TX. Founded by veteran software consultants, Decide has developed proprietary methods for finding problem-solving IT personnel. Our Software products focus on the Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) and Healthcare markets.