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



Know Your Client - The First Rule of Business Coaching

Whilst the very best coaches have undertaken independently accredited training... Read More

Hiring Great People And How to Be One Yourself: Five Secrets

Bad news.Your senior vice-president, your marketing director or your accounting... Read More

Five Key Strategies for Making Your Nonprofit Business More Effective

I love tennis both as a spectator and... Read More

5 Tips For Creating Great Jobs

1) Create A Powerful "Mission Statement"-When your business mission is... Read More

Recognition: A Quick, Low-cost Way to Motivate Employees

Recognizing good performance through praise or other positive action is... Read More

What 80% of Businesses Don?t Know: Tips for Improving Your Working Capital Management

What is the number one way to prevent failure in... Read More

Quality Standards with ISO 9001

Standardizing Quality SystemsThe ISO, or International Organization for Standardization, was... Read More

You Didnt Use Brainstorming to Select Your Measures, Did You?

IntroductionWhen Alex Osborn invented the creativity technique called brainstorming, I... Read More

Lower the Bar

"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." Ralph Waldo EmersonI'm... Read More

Profits and Business Success - 5 Profit Traps to Watch Out For

The old saying 'You have to spend money to make... Read More

Importance of Just-In-Time Inventory System

In today's competitive world shorter product life cycles, customers rapid... Read More

Compensation and Six Sigma Black Belts

One of the more ambiguous elements of a Six Sigma... Read More

The Crisis of Modernity

Since the beginning of the industrial era our world has... Read More

Business Fails When We Do Not Talk

You may remember being told as a child, "Keep quiet!"... Read More

Performance Appraisal - Ten Stupid Things Managers Do To Screw It Up

Performance appraisals aren't fun. But a lot of the time... Read More

Are You Using the Right Form of Energy?

As we near the end of summer, here is a... Read More

Middle Managers Behaving Badly ? How To Stop This Damaging Your Results

More and more I hear and read about a looming... Read More

Structure Your Payment Offers to Sell More Products

The way you structure your payment offers can increase your... Read More

How Businesses Can Stop Wallowing in Bad Debt and Prevent It in the Future

"Become the Squeaky Wheel", a new book just published, explains... Read More

5 Steps to Identify Core Processes

Part Two of Creating Well-Defined Processes SeriesNext Week: ImplementationLast week,... Read More

Organize your Office- Seven Solutions

1. Create a filing system with broad categories such as... Read More

Entitlement Programs Kill Productivity

In articles I've written over the years, I have used... Read More

The Ten Keys to Maximizing Employee Performance

1. Let people know what you expect. If people know... Read More

A Sense of Humor in the Workplace ... Is it Me? Or, was that not funny?

When I was first initiated into Corporate America, I had... Read More

The Seven Essentials of Business Communication

There are seven essential elements to successful business communication:StructureClarityConsistencyMediumRelevancyPrimacy/RecencyPsychological Rule... Read More

If you'd like to keep up-to-date,
please complete the form below and we'll put you on the mailing list
to receive our twice-yearly newsletter for supporters

* Your email address:
* choes your language:
 

العاب منتديات هيدى الزاوية الحمراء

Pharaohs products    egypt products    Egypt shopping   Shopping in Egypt   sho  Egypt Bazaar Pharaohs Shoping Center   Egypt  Pharaohs