What is the Most Difficult Part of an Improvement Program?
Answer: Starting one. Most of us realize that there is probably a better way to perform certain functions or tasks, but improvement programs seem to take second seat to getting the product out the door. But wait a minute. Wouldn't streamlined ways of doing the work help to get the product out the door faster? Of course, but it is just so hard to set aside time to "think" about improvement programs, let alone initiate them. Most process improvement activities today are part of a technology initiative, but they do not need to be limited to these activities. Further, most Business Process Improvement (BPI) efforts conducted with the installation of a new system, just scratch the surface. Downside of technology initiated BPI efforts: * The BPI efforts are secondary to the technology initiative. Technology BPI efforts tend to be shortsighted, directing attention on the processes that need to change in order for the technology to be used -- rather than how the technology may enable the business process. Concentrating on the process BEFORE starting a technology project allows you to focus on the work itself - rather than the technology. * The purpose of implementing the new system tends to get lost in the shuffle, hindering optimization of the business processes. * Efforts are restricted due to project timelines and limited resources * Once the process has been reviewed and revised so it complements the new system, efforts stop. Business processes are larger than the technology that serves them. * Although users and process owners are involved in creating a better method, the activity is managed from a technical perspective, rather than a business perspective.
Taking time now is essential for achieving, maintaining or enhancing your competitive edge. Do not wait for the next IT project to start thinking about your business processes. Here are a few ideas to help you get energized to take action. How to become more proactive: * Start collecting data to help identify and measure potential areas of improvement. * Set up a mechanism for getting information and ideas from those performing the tasks. * When a problem surfaces, take the time to get to the root cause. The tendency is to immediately move to "fix" mode, which may result in short term improvements. * When implementing the above, keep it simple - do not overcomplicate this effort and do not make a big deal about the shift. It is simply a matter of thinking in a slightly different way, not changing the entire culture. * Make process improvement a way of life - a continuous effort.
Once you have shifted to a more proactive operation, it is time to start stimulating innovative thinking so the most effective process is the end result. Copyright © 2005 All rights reserved - Management Zone for Performance Management Gain knowledge, not just information. Kay Graham-Gilbert, author, advisor and executive of Interactive Consulting has an extensive background in creating effective operations. Receive your Free Report on http://www.management-zone.com - business growth strategies and more
Related News
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
How to Hire the Right People
One of the biggest challenges any business owner or manager has is hiring the right people. I've recently discovered a simple, inexpensive yet very effective way which will help you get it right. This week I've asked Nathan Chanesman, Managing Director of Myprofile Pty Ltd. to please explain?
One Thing You Cant Hide
One of the most important of all motivators at work is consideration. Employees report that the best managers they ever had were people who cared about them as people and as friends. These managers took the time to ask them questions about their lives, and to listen patiently while they talked about the dilemmas and problems and situations in their families. The more that the employees felt that the boss liked them and respected them, the more empowered and motivated they felt.
Character: Is It Necessary In Leadership? (Part One)
We know character when we see it, but what exactly is it? How do we define it? What role does it play in our getting results as leaders? What role does character play in our careers?
Group Discussion Guidelines
DISCUSSION METHODS: There are two basic types of discussion methods; the conference method and the workshop method. The conference method involves meetings of staff members, usually from the same organization, and is convened to pass on information, communicate management policies or decisions, or to solve organizational problems. These meetings are usually held for only one or two days, and generally consist of large discussion groups. The workshop method, on the other hand, is usually utilized when there are participants from a range of companies meeting for periods of longer than two days, for the purpose of devoting their attention to a specific problem or shared interest. The discussion groups tend to be small, and techniques such as role playing, case study, critical incident are commonly used.
Getting Software Developed for Your Business
At some point, your business is going to need to have some software development. Maybe your business is small, but existing software doesn't fit your needs. Maybe your company is larger, with significant technology resources already, but you need an outside perspective. Whatever the reason, it can be difficult to choose an software developer, especially if you aren't a technical person.
Ten Relationship Traits And Skills For Good Leadership
An important aspect of good leadership is the ability to work and relate with others. When creating and building your unique leadership style consistently developing relational skills is a priority. There are ten qualities that characterize successful leadership in the area of relating and communicating with other people.
Data Delivers Credibility
Over the past couple of days I've been setting up visitor counters, so people in another organization can accurately count the number of people who visit their event.
Conflict Resolution Training- When Personal Safety is an Issue
Conflict generally arises by having your needs, desires, perceptions and values challenged.
Why Half of All Mergers Fail After the Honeymoon Ends
Marriages and corporate mergers in America have at least one thing in common, more than 50 percent end up on the rocks. In fact, according to a McKinsey study, only 23 percent ever recover the costs of walking down the corporate aisle. Another study showed that over 40 percent actually lose shareholder value.
Delegation - The Basic Steps To Reducing Your Workload And Creating A Successful Team
If you have a task greater than you can handle on your own, then you need to delegate. Not a choice many of us choose to make, but one we can all learn. This article will take you through why delegation is so important and give you simple steps to take so that you communicate the vision, motivate your members and build them as individuals and as a successful team.
What To Do When Your IT Project Is Late, Over Budget, and Looks Like It?s Never Going To Work
Here's a scary statistic. According to four prominent research firms, only around 20% of all IT projects are finished in a timely manner. By "timely" the researchers mean without loss of quality or being over budget. They go on to say the average project runs approximately 200 percent late, roughly 200 percent over budget, and contains only 2/3 of the original functionality.
The Paradox of Job Enrichment
Ellen was a clerk working for a large insurance company. One day, she spotted a glaring discrepancy in a form she was typing.
Knowledge Management - Capturing And Structuring Knowledge Into Reusable Assets
Many organizations have an approach for identifying and recording lessons learned, perhaps as part of a post-project review or similar process. Unfortunately, lessons learned reports have a tendency to end up on a shelf gathering dust, or lost in the un-chartered corner of a fileserver somewhere. Let's get real. How many people will really trawl diligently through a number of lessons learned documents in order to glean some key point? The reality is, if you can motivate employees to initiate any kind of "learning before doing" activity, then you?re doing pretty well.
Does Your State Like To Keep Your Workers Compensation Secrets Hidden?
Workers compensation secrets are hidden deep within piles and piles of bureaucratic mumbo jumbo. They are sometimes used as high priced paper weights for over worked government workers who may or may not be totally interested in seeing that you find the exact information that you are looking for. However, this is just an opinion. From what I've seen on the Internet finding information about workers compensation secrets can be confusing at best.
Finding the Right Way to Motivate Your Employees
Fear, Incentives and Growth
Auditing Improves Effective Planning
Speak of operations assessment, and we'll hear its significant value. Speak of an audit, and we'll run for the nearest emergency exit. There's no difference between the two, yet that word audit chills us. But is an audit really designed to help us or hurt us?
Are You Cascading Your Strategy, or Fragmenting It?
INTRODUCTION
Writing and Revising Your Life Story
Change is not simple. Why do we repeat behavior that doesn't work? Those actions that lead to stifling debt, disappointing careers, or stuck relationships? Then do it harder, yet expect a different result? Why is it not obvious that trying to exit an old story by simply writing a "better ending" only recreates the same story, and ensures that we remain in it? That a thousand better endings to an old story don't create a new story? That the past cannot be changed and is a settled matter? That too often, we see ourselves as the victims of the stories that we author and the feelings we create?
Factoring Financing: How to Grow Your Business Without Debt or Loans
What is factoring?
Got A Meeting Planned? Ask This Question
Meetings ? they are a fact of our business lives. And while the number of meetings and the amount of time you spend in them may vary based on your job title, it is hard to argue that they are a significant part of business life today.
|
