AME Milwaukee 2026 International Conference
Workshops
Workshop
Build a management system wired for high velocity organizational learning
Get practical with proven management systems
OVERVIEW
This workshop explores why some organizations achieve 2X the output with ½ the input while competing in the same markets with similar talent, materials and equipment. The difference is not resources — it is how people collaborate to learn and innovate faster than the competition. Participants examine how a management system’s processes, norms and governance either create a winning zone that enables out-learning and out-innovating, or a danger zone that makes it difficult.
The session then dives into how management systems can be deliberately designed, operated and improved to enable the flow of discoveries, ideas and information. Participants explore the mechanisms of Slowification, Simplification and Amplification; reflect through interactive video cases and discussions; and examine how leadership choices determine whether systems encourage workarounds or real problem-solving.
In the afternoon, attendees apply the four capabilities of high-velocity learning organizations in a hands-on paper airplane simulation, practicing process design, embedded tests, rapid experimentation and shared learning. The workshop also highlights the role of digital tools, including the See to Solve Flow Process Mapping tool. Participants receive a three-month free trial of the tool and a practical workbook with job aids and model line approaches to implement a winning management system after AME.
Grounded in decades of experience and inspired by Steve Spear’s work with the Toyota Production System and other high-velocity learning organizations, this session delivers a practical recipe for building sustainable competitive advantage.
The session then dives into how management systems can be deliberately designed, operated and improved to enable the flow of discoveries, ideas and information. Participants explore the mechanisms of Slowification, Simplification and Amplification; reflect through interactive video cases and discussions; and examine how leadership choices determine whether systems encourage workarounds or real problem-solving.
In the afternoon, attendees apply the four capabilities of high-velocity learning organizations in a hands-on paper airplane simulation, practicing process design, embedded tests, rapid experimentation and shared learning. The workshop also highlights the role of digital tools, including the See to Solve Flow Process Mapping tool. Participants receive a three-month free trial of the tool and a practical workbook with job aids and model line approaches to implement a winning management system after AME.
Grounded in decades of experience and inspired by Steve Spear’s work with the Toyota Production System and other high-velocity learning organizations, this session delivers a practical recipe for building sustainable competitive advantage.
Key Learning Objectives
1. Learn what a management system is and how management systems create the competitive edge of operationally excellent organizations.
2. Learn how to deliberately and practically design a management system that allows for flow of discoveries, ideas and information in your organization.
3. Learn about the key tactics of slowification, simplification and amplification and how to use them effectively in your management system design.
4. Learn how to see and use the four levels of process design to think about and improve your management system.
5. Learn how to embed tests, do rapid experimentation and share learnings systemically as part of your management system to drive high velocity learning in your organization.
6. Test the power of easy-to-use digital tools to accelerate adoption and sustain behaviors, especially in global and virtual organizations.
7. Practice application of all the concepts in a paper airplane simulation activity.
8. Learn how to deploy model lines and walk away with practical, proven next steps for how to implement a winning management system in your organization.
2. Learn how to deliberately and practically design a management system that allows for flow of discoveries, ideas and information in your organization.
3. Learn about the key tactics of slowification, simplification and amplification and how to use them effectively in your management system design.
4. Learn how to see and use the four levels of process design to think about and improve your management system.
5. Learn how to embed tests, do rapid experimentation and share learnings systemically as part of your management system to drive high velocity learning in your organization.
6. Test the power of easy-to-use digital tools to accelerate adoption and sustain behaviors, especially in global and virtual organizations.
7. Practice application of all the concepts in a paper airplane simulation activity.
8. Learn how to deploy model lines and walk away with practical, proven next steps for how to implement a winning management system in your organization.
Presenter
Maria Mentzer
Chief Marketing Officer, VP of Customer Development
SEE TO SOLVE
Maria Mentzer is the chief marketing officer and VP of customer development of See to Solve LLC, helping customers implement and sustain organizational high velocity learning and problem-solving capabilities based on See to Solve founder Steve Spear's research and methods. Mentzer is a strategic leader with over 20 years of business, continuous improvement and leadership experience spanning manufacturing, operations, supply chain, sales, engineering, marketing, business development, embedded IT, organizational development, coaching and mentoring.
Chief Marketing Officer, VP of Customer Development
SEE TO SOLVE
Maria Mentzer is the chief marketing officer and VP of customer development of See to Solve LLC, helping customers implement and sustain organizational high velocity learning and problem-solving capabilities based on See to Solve founder Steve Spear's research and methods. Mentzer is a strategic leader with over 20 years of business, continuous improvement and leadership experience spanning manufacturing, operations, supply chain, sales, engineering, marketing, business development, embedded IT, organizational development, coaching and mentoring.
As a continuous improvement champion, Mentzer has helped numerous organizations adopt organizational high velocity learning capabilities, gain strategic advantage and sustain operational excellence. Mentzer holds an MBA and a S.M. in civil engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, both degrees as a fellow of MIT’s Leaders for Global Operations Program (formerly Leaders for Manufacturing). She also holds a M.S. in material science and engineering from North Carolina State University and a B.S. in civil and environmental engineering from the University of South Florida.
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Building operational excellence foundation for the future
Management systems
Level: Intermediate
