Traditional hierarchical organizational structures and management approaches were not yielding the type of high-performance results that the Seattle Region wanted from its staff and programs. ETA's Seattle Region began a comprehensive TQM initiative in an effort to apply quality management, customer focused and continuous improvement principles to their public-sector. Teams address problems and develop strategies relating to ETA's programs. The region is actively engaged with customers in a number of areas.
Teams relate directly with customers and partners to develop and implement program improvements.
A Leadership Council has been formed consisting of three managers and four non-supervisory staff to meet with the Regional Administrator regularly and to help develop a more strategic agenda. This group's meetings will replace Executive Staff meetings. Future activities will include future development of self-managed work teams and the realignment of the whole office around customer relationships. Elimination of the Deputy Regional Administrator function. Unit heads and some teams now report directly to the Regional Administrator.