The Makerspace Operations Bootcamp is a 5-day, intensive course on the systems and documents that Maker Works uses for smooth, safe, and sustainable operation of their makerspace. Owners Tom Root and Dale Grover, along with Maker Works staff, will cover:
• Documents that guide a business
• Operational tools for efficiency and safety, such as training for machine operation
• Creating and sustaining a culture
• Providing great service
• Leadership and management
• The four value propositions of a makerspace
• Developing classes and other programming
• How to instruct
These tools have been drawn from Lean Manufacturing, Training Within Industry, Open Book Management, and other sources. As an owner, Tom has personally tested and used them over the last ten years at Zingerman’s Mail Order , a highly-seasonal $14-million mailorder business which is part of the Zingerman’s Community of Businesses. Whether building cars at Toyota, shipping artisanal food at Zingerman’s, or training makerspace members to operate machinery, these are essential, useful tools.
Who should attend? Anyone wanting a jumpstart setting up procedures, policies, and other systems for operating a makerspace. Note that anyone starting a makerspace should also check out the “How to Make a Makerspace” materials and definitely attend that workshop when offered.
In addition to classroom discussion, there will be plenty of time for directly experiencing how these tools work in practice. Attendees will take Maker Works checkout classes, have open Making time, and take local field trips to observe the systems in place at different scales. A preliminary course outline is available at the course page.
The Fall 2014 course is Monday October 20 – Friday October 24, 2014. The Winter 2015 course is Monday January 26 – Friday January 30, 2015. Additional course dates to be announced.
Cost for the 5-day course is $2,000 and includes related books, a workbook, lunch and refreshments each day, a social event Monday, and special dinner Thursday.
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