Audit Recommends Efficiency Process to Streamline DENR

State of NC Auditor Leslie Merritt recently released a performance audit on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ air quality permit review process in the Division of Air Quality (DAQ).

The audit found that by implementing lean, a process improvement technique modeled after the Toyota Production System, DAQ can increase the number of air quality permit applications processed by 52%. DAQ partnered with the Industrial Extension Service (IES) to implement lean.

“IES was enthusiastic to support DAQ and pleased with the potential efficiency gain identified through the use of lean tools,” said Gene Smith, NCSU lean specialist.