The Current

In this episode, we discuss an exciting offering at UC San Diego's Office of Strategic Initiatives: a new webinar series to foster conversations about continuous improvement, artificial intelligence, and more. Joining us is Laura De La Peña, who previews the upcoming webinar 'Lean Six Sigma vs. Artificial Intelligence.' We explore how Lean Six Sigma and AI can complement each other's strengths and weaknesses in process improvement. You can join the April 24th webinar and get insights on how these methodologies can enhance efficiency and effectiveness in both academia and industry. Simply email osi@ucsd.edu! Also, Don't forget to register for Process Palooza 2025 at UC San Diego on August 6-7! Head to processpalooza.ucsd.edu for more information! 00:00 Welcome to Process Palooza Podcast 01:03 Introducing Triton GPT and OSI's Role 02:20 Upcoming AI Essentials Webinar 03:44 Interview with Laura Dela Pena 05:25 Lean Six Sigma vs. AI: A Deep Dive 07:57 The Future of AI and Process Improvement 15:06 Triton GPT: Development and Training 24:31 Public Access and Benefits of Webinars 25:56 Conclusion and Upcoming Events

What makes Lean Six Sigma such a powerful methodology for improving processes and driving efficiency? In this episode, I sit down with seasoned Black Belt instructor Jim Athon to uncover the real impact of these techniques. We discuss the key principles, common challenges, and why mastering Lean Six Sigma is essential for organizations striving for excellence. Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your skills, this conversation delivers expert insights you won't want to miss.

This episode of the Process Palooza podcast takes listeners on a journey through the lively and bustling Process Palooza 2024 event, held at UC San Diego. With over 660 registered attendees, the event is a hub for innovators and leaders in business and education. Hosted at UC San Diego, the event champions the idea of continuous improvement with a lean Six Sigma mindset. With engaging sessions, speeches, and even interactive challenges, this episode captures the essence of a movement dedicated to continuous improvement and compassion in the workplace and beyond. This is a not-to-be missed show, filling your brain with the best thinkers in process improvement!

We decided it was time to bring AI back into the discussion for this month's episode of the Process Palooza Podcast. To help us do that, we have invited Jon Wade, a professor of practice at the Jacobs School of Engineering. Dr. Wade specializes in systems engineering, a goldmine field for process improvement information. What we are really interested in, though, is his work in mining that field for the world's largest and most complex system: human society. Topics Mentioned: 1. An introduction to Dr. Jon Wade and his background 2. A world changed by a pandemic 3. Human Society as Systems (and types of systems) 4. How philosophies can evolve over time 5. Building connection and accepting when something can't be changed 6. Knowing what to measure when improving systems 7. Experience with continuous improvement 8. What is systems engineering? 9. Real world examples of systems engineering (for good or ill) 10. Societal impacts of technologies 11. Ethical implications of AI 12. Potential and promise of AI 13. The OODA Loop, or how large organizations can make decisions quickly 14. The power of the open source movement 15. Reaching the public Donella Meadows and Leverage Points: https://donellameadows.org/archives/leverage-points-places-to-intervene-in-a-system/ A closer look at the OODA Loop: https://thedecisionlab.com/reference-guide/computer-science/the-ooda-loop My own book recommendation about building connections and empathy: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/550616/the-war-for-kindness-by-jamil-zaki/

Join hosts Miguel Rodriguez and Paul Krueger as they deconstruct a major process improvement project currently in the works using the Lean Six Sigma methodology. Ideas and strategies shared in earlier episodes will be applied to an authentic and current implementation! This is a not-to-be missed show, filling your brain with the best thinkers in process improvement! Transcript w/ timestamps: https://bit.ly/4eTwW8a

Are you thinking of adopting a continuous improvement strategy for your organization? Maybe your organization is implementing one that will affect you. Thus far on this podcast, we have looked at continuous improvement within the contexts of AI and leadership. In this episode, we are going to focus on some of the direct methodologies, in this case Lean Six Sigma, and discuss some of the ways UC San Diego - a massive institution of higher learning and world-class research - has imbued the work culture with a continuous improvement mindset. Special guests include Senior Strategic Programs Manager and LSS Black Belt Tony Nava, and recent Green Belt recipients Emily Viney, Melanie Crane, Vanessa Yang and Sarah Vogel Harper. This is a not-to-be missed show, filling your brain with the best thinkers in process improvement! Transcript w/ timestamps: https://bit.ly/3wNL2qs

Paul Krueger is back to guide us on another technological trip through time with "This Month in Tech History." For May, Paul is delving into the history of the first programmable, electronic, general-purpose digital computer: ENIAC. Transcript w/ timestamps: https://bit.ly/4b3vPjM

Cloud Engineer Nick Marangella joins the pod to discuss: • How he started with ACT at UC San Diego • Working on cloud infrastructure with AWS • Participating in GeekMasters • His love of live music & other extracurricular activities Transcript w/ timestamps: https://bit.ly/49Uh7tU

Ep. 2: The Role of Leadership in Building a Continuous Improvement Culture Building a culture of continuous improvement starts with a singular vision. But where does that vision come from? In this episode, we will explore the role of leadership in directing and modeling major large scale changes and helping employees and stakeholders succeed and grow! Special guests include UC San Diego CIO Vince Kellen, Business Improvement Consultant Stephen Yorkstone, and Tracy O'Rourke, Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt and Co-Founder of the Just-in-Time Cafe community and podcast. This is a not-to-be missed show, filling your brain with the best thinkers in process improvement! Show notes: • Just-in-Time Cafe website: https://www.jitcafe.com/ Transcript w/ timestamps: https://bit.ly/4cY0RLf

Paul Krueger is back to guide us on another technological trip through time with "This Month in Tech History." For April, Paul is delving into a topic he is very passionate about: the history of NASA's space shuttle program. Transcript w/ timestamps: https://bit.ly/4av5v1B

Senior Education Technology Specialist Treb Padula joins the pod to discuss: • The purpose behind and creation of Studio U • Who can use Studio U • The experience of using Studio U • Studio U success stories Transcript w/ timestamps: https://bit.ly/4cE4END

Principal IT Infrastructure Engineer Claudio Lombardo joins the pod to discuss: • His role & the work of the Applications Platform team • The importance of automation and standardization • His passion for music and career as a Sound Engineer • His involvement in the ITS Jam Session Band Transcript w/ timestamps: https://bit.ly/3PtZF8o

Episode 1: The Evolution of Lean Thinking in the Age of AI Have you ever wondered what planet-shifting generative AI tools mean to the lean mindset? Episode 1 of The Process Palooza Podcast offers a special preview of the March 26 Process PaloozAI Webinar all about this very topic! Special guests include UC San Diego CIO Vince Kellen, Business Improvement Consultant Stephen Yorkstone, and Neil Sahota, who is not only an IBM Master Inventor, but serves the United Nations as the official AI Advisor! This is a not-to-be missed show, filling your brain with the best thinkers in process improvement! Show notes: • Process Palooza website: https://processpalooza.ucsd.edu • Register for Process PaloozAI webinar: https://bit.ly/49YwMsB • Follow Process Palooza on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3TBqbyU • "Own the A.I. Revolution" by Neil Sahota & Michael Ashley: https://bit.ly/3Tflrhg • "Humanising Higher Education" by Camila Devis-Rozental & Susanne Clarke: https://bit.ly/49QXKmn • Song snippet of "'Tain't What You Do (It's The Way That You Do It)" by Fats Waller: https://bit.ly/3ViIGtw

Paul Krueger is back to guide us on another technological trip through time with "This Month in Tech History." For March, Paul is delving into one of the most pivotal moments in the history of technology: the first successful telephone call, made by Alexander Graham Bell on March 10, 1876. Transcript (w/ timestamps): https://bit.ly/3P8DC6W Show notes: - The Process Palooza Podcast debuts on March 14, 2024 - Register now for the Process PaloozAI webinar on March 26, 2024: https://bit.ly/49YwMsB - The next TECHTalk will take place on March 15, 2024 and centers around the new TritonGPT AI platform, learn more and find the Zoom link: https://bit.ly/3Tn36QG

Veronica Garcia joins the podcast to discuss: • The UC Womxn in Tech committee • Her role as Voice Services Manager • Her career path at UC San Diego • How trainings & conferences have enriched her career • Parenting three teenagers Transcript w/ timestamps: https://bit.ly/49uKX8w

Paul Krueger is back to guide us on another technological trip through time with "This Month in Tech History." For February, Paul is digging into the history behind the famous six-game chess match between IBM's Deep Blue computer and world champion Garry Kasparov in 1996. Transcript (w/ timestamps): https://bit.ly/3SQfokk

Erin Kilburn joins the podcast to discuss: • Her journey from Temp to Director of Project Portfolio Management • Project Management vs. Portfolio Management (vs. Change Management) • Balancing quality and quantity in project and operational work • Which LSS tools she relies upon most • ITS-PRO as a tool Transcript w/ timestamps: https://bit.ly/3SjPVhE

Galen Davis visits the podcast to discuss: • The Kaltura service and its impact at UC San Diego • Optimizing the use of video in learning environments • The academic study of video games • Life at Stanford and hanging with Chelsea Clinton • The “dood” club Transcript w/ timestamps: https://bit.ly/48LxtFs

Paul Krueger is back to guide us on another technological trip through time with "This Month in Tech History." To welcome in the new year, let's introduce a new spin on this series: in each installment, Paul will take a deep dive into one particular historical tech event from a given month. For January, Paul is digging into the history behind the famous "1984" Apple Computer commercial that aired during the Super Bowl. Transcript (w/ timestamps): https://bit.ly/3S3Xfhb

For the last podcast episode of 2023, Miguel Rodriguez caught up with CIO Vince Kellen to discuss: • The three most unexpected changes for ITS in 2023 • TritonGPT & Generative AI • The concept of "The Integrative CIO" • How ITS operations & projects can work smarter, not harder • Book & paper recommendations: - "The Rise of the Meta City" - "Talent Tectonics" - "Generative AI at Work" Transcript w/ timestamps: https://bit.ly/3TqeaNq

Paul Krueger is back to guide us on another technological trip through time with "This Month in Tech History." In this episode we learn about some fascinating tech and space related events that took place during the month of December. Transcript (w/ timestamps): https://bit.ly/3t4J1UK

Senior Director of Educational Technology Services Dan Suchy joins the podcast to discuss: - ETS's “defining moments” and challenges of 2023 - Navigating operational work day-to-day - His thoughts on growing enrollment at UC San Diego - Change management when improving tech tools - Thoughts on AI & what's on the horizon Transcript (w/ timestamps): https://bit.ly/3RmYeK8

Mark Hersberger sat down with SIO Information Systems Analysts Daniel Volpe and Eugene Vivino to discuss: • How the two came to work at SIO and UCSD • A typical day at sea aboard a research vessel • The food aboard research vessels • The most surprising things that have happened to them at sea • The equipment and programs used to conduct their work Transcript (w/ timestamps): https://bit.ly/46hfxk4

Paul Krueger is back to guide us on another technological trip through time with "This Month in Tech History." In this episode we learn about some fascinating tech events that took place during the month of November. Transcript (w/ timestamps): https://bit.ly/3Qt4Kxy

Get to know Joey Miller, Senior Applications Programmer on the HCM team. He discusses: • His role handling 40-50 custom applications • What brought him to work at UC San Diego • Moving to Arizona and becoming a new homeowner • Participating in LLP Transcript w/ timestamps: https://bit.ly/3tIKUqd

Paul Krueger is back to guide us on another technological trip through time with "This Month in Tech History." In this episode we learn about some fascinating tech events that took place during the month of October. Transcript w/ timestamps: https://bit.ly/3SmyyhZ

Paul Krueger is back to guide us on another technological trip through time with "This Month in Tech History." In this episode we learn about some fascinating tech events that took place during the month of September. Transcript (w/ timestamps): https://bit.ly/3ZrwoyL

Get to know Jack Brzezinski, our new AI solution architect. He discusses the: • Evolution of AI • Current state of AI and potential in higher ed • Roadmap and goals for his role Transcript (w/ timestamps): https://bit.ly/3EFzRAd

Although The Current podcast has been enjoying its European-style August break, our intrepid tech historian Paul Krueger never rests! Paul is back to guide us on another technological trip through time with "This Month in Tech History." In this episode we learn about some fascinating tech events that took place during the month of August. Transcript: https://bit.ly/44gMOLc

Paul Krueger guides us on another technological trip through time with "This Month in Tech History." The Apollo 11 spacecraft blasted off on July 16, 1969, landing safely on the moon four days later on July 20. In this episode we delve deeper into the Apollo 11 mission and learn about some other fascinating space related events that took place during the month of July. Transcript: https://bit.ly/3KfErs8

Paul Krueger caught up with John Gunvaldson to discuss: • His 24 years as a Navy submariner • Working at a Dot Com in the early 2000s • What he does as a Systems Integration Engineer with IT Services • Getting the Harley Davidson motorcycle he's always wanted Transcript: https://bit.ly/46OjtKw

Miguel Rodriguez caught up with CIO Vince Kellen to discuss: • IT Services accomplishments in 2023 • Student Information System (SIS) updates • Chancellor Khosla's priorities for IT Services • AI's place and impact within IT Services • The role of IT Services in keeping up with UC San Diego's growth Transcript: https://bit.ly/3r1Tgb7

Business and Technical Support Analyst Erika Zuniga visits the pod to discuss: • Her varied IT roles working with Robert Half Technology • Jumping into working the Tech Hub at The Hive • The challenges of being a woman "in the field" for IT Services • Her twin boys and her obsession with dragons Transcript: https://bit.ly/46dAjlV

Paul Krueger takes us on another technological trip through time with "This Month in Tech History." In June of 1983, Sally Ride became the first American woman in space. Given her ties to UC San Diego and her importance in the history of space exploration and physics, we've decided to make her the focus of the June installment of this series. Transcript: https://bit.ly/3PdrW3O

On today's podcast Suzanne Papp chats about: • Her circuitous path from student to employee at UC San Diego • The role of a Database Administrator, automating DBA functions and SNOW ticket advice • Looking forward to attending the Splunk .conf23 • Taking up drawing, dropping the recorder and boogie boarding Transcript w/ timestamps: https://bit.ly/3X76jE1

Paul Krueger takes us on another technological trip through time with "This Month in Tech History." Eureka! In this episode we illuminate major discoveries and inventions throughout the years that have occurred during the month of May. Transcript: https://bit.ly/3ODwz6T

UC Tech 2023 is right around the corner. Ever wondered what makes this event special and what goes into planning it? Hear from our leadership panel: • UCOP CIO Van Williams • UCSF CIO Joe Bengfort • UC Berkeley committee member Faye Snowden As they discuss: • The vision for the UC community of technologists • What makes the conference unique • How programming supports President Drake's UC system goals • How UCB and UCSF are working together as co-hosts • What organizers are looking forward to the most • Conference highlights and reasons to attend Transcript: https://bit.ly/3MDjiKi

Join Jenny An and Miguel Rodriguez as they discuss: • Jenny's role with the IT Service Desk and how she has defined it as a manager, trainer, and process documentarian • How the Service Desk goes beyond IT support to empower UC San Diego's student body • The Service Desk's purpose as a critical part of UC San Diego's ITS infrastructure Transcript: https://bit.ly/3O6VPSy

Noted raconteur and original pod guest Harrison Watts returns to: • Reflect on the age of COVID • Describe his current and past work at UC San Diego • Explain how he morphed from a classical languages major into a techie • Relive his recent triumph at Process Palooza • Recount how he recently resumed playing guitar...and got locked out of his first gig Transcript: https://bit.ly/44nbIKz

Get to know new IT Services HR business partner Sara Turner as she discusses: • The 2022-2023 Employee Performance Appraisal process • Annual goal setting tips • Her background leading up to working at UC San Diego • Fostering cats during "kitten season" Transcript: https://bit.ly/41FPZez

Paul Krueger takes us on another technological trip through time with "This Month in Tech History." Space is the place but Earth is worth talking about too! On this episode we explore the depths of our solar system, computing innovations and some key events from human history. Transcript: https://bit.ly/43EIab0

Rocky Mankini drops by the podcast to talk about: • His journey from Computer Lab Assistant to DevOps Engineer • Working at UCLA vs. UC San Diego • DataHub and Kubernetes clusters • Magic: The Gathering and pet tortoises Transcript: https://bit.ly/3zFRldb

On today's podcast Husnaa Jamshed discusses: • Working as an IT Services student employee for 3 years • Learning the ropes as a business systems analyst • Participating in IT Services' BSA apprenticeship program Transcript: https://bit.ly/42uBBqJ

Paul Krueger takes us on another technological trip through time with "This Month in Tech History." They say necessity is the mother of invention. It seems that March needed to outdo February in terms of tech history, so in this episode we're highlighting key inventions throughout the years. Transcript: https://bit.ly/3LqEoeE

Ashley McMullen visits the pod to discuss: • Her experience working as a bouncer • Her pathway to UC San Diego • The evolution of the OnBase solution • Coaching youth sports and antique hunting Transcript: https://bit.ly/3ZPvL11

In this crossover episode with the Just in Time Café podcast, our own Miguel Rodriguez caught up with Lean Six Sigma expert and Process Palooza MC Tracy O'Rourke to discuss: • Hearing, speaking and thinking lean • Removing barriers to joy • Bringing “invisible” processes to light • Respecting people through lean practices • Meeting people where they are to begin a lean journey Transcript: https://bit.ly/41D2vwh Useful Links: - https://goleansixsigma.com/what-is-lean-six-sigma/ - https://www.jitcafe.com/ - https://processpalooza.ucsd.edu

Sophia Nasrallah joins us to discuss: • The biggest challenges recruiting for IT Services • How EDI guides the recruitment process • Ways to bring better talent into IT Services • Recruitment successes of the past year Transcript: https://bit.ly/3ILKh4h

It's one small step for man, one giant leap for Paul Krueger, as he takes us on another technological trip through time with "This Month in Tech History." February is chock full of space related events, so strap on your jetpack and grab a packet of tang as we learn about key moments in the history of space exploration. Transcript: https://bit.ly/3lBXfIT

Kenny Li joins the pod to discuss: - How things are going with Hardware Asset Management - A new collaboration with the Bookstore - The ServiceNow Virtual Agent - A trip to Big Sur and the joy of photography Transcript: https://bit.ly/3HMBihC

Arturo Acevedo drops by to discuss: • Some current and new projects for the Classroom Support and Audio-Visual Design and Installation (AVDI) teams • How his team "refreshes" classrooms • What the team did to set up the outdoor classrooms during the pandemic • How much the campus will be changing, including plans for a hotel and the "future college" Transcript: https://bit.ly/3R4bUrG

Paul Krueger takes us on a technological trip through time in a new segment we're calling "This Month in Tech History." January is a big month in tech history, so tune in to learn what innovations occurred during this month over the years! Transcript: https://bit.ly/3CSOijR