Implementing Reliable Processes:
You have choosen an important business process, determined the measurable results you want from the process, outlined the steps in the process and used the Managing Change techniques to introduce the concept of reliable processes and get buy in to try it. Also, the reliable method steps and the desired results are written down.
During the actual implementation, there are two objectives. First, to establish a baseline process and results of that process. Second, to accomplish a paradigm shift with people embracing the need for everyone to follow the same process. This second objective is at the heart of reliable processes and is not easy to do.
Both objectives are advanced by constant vigilance, discussion and feedback. If this is your first processes, think about the extra time now as an investment in all the reliable processes that will follow. Ask people what aspects of the process are being done differently and are they important differences in the methods. If yes, take time to regroup and agree on the best method. If you can't agree, just pick one.
Remember that the important thing in the beginning is the concept that everyone is doing things the same way. Continuous improvement will come next once a baseline is established. As with most changes it takes 4-6 weeks of earnest effort to make the new change part of the normal routine. Give this concept time to become engrained before you start improvement efforts.
Showing posts with label Reliable Processes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reliable Processes. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Business Builder Bob - Reliable Processes #4
Is this your first reliable method?
If this is the first time you are implementing a reliable method, review the posts on managing change. You are asking people to do the activity the exact same way. That can be a little scary.
There are many machine operators who believe they know the best way to run the machine and that their job security is tied to what they know. Even people in clerical jobs may feel they have tricks that help them and they don't want to "give them up".
Prepare for the change and then meet with the people who must follow the same "reliable process". You may want to choose your process "owner" ahead of time and have them help with the preparation. Use the managing change steps which end in a verbal committment to give it a try.
During the announcement/managing change meeting, engage the impacted people in creating the reliable method. This is where a lot of discussion is a good thing. Try to tease out some of the secrets and tricks and make sure everyone understands them. In the end, everyone must understand the measurement of success and the specific steps that will be the baseline process.
If this is the first time you are implementing a reliable method, review the posts on managing change. You are asking people to do the activity the exact same way. That can be a little scary.
There are many machine operators who believe they know the best way to run the machine and that their job security is tied to what they know. Even people in clerical jobs may feel they have tricks that help them and they don't want to "give them up".
Prepare for the change and then meet with the people who must follow the same "reliable process". You may want to choose your process "owner" ahead of time and have them help with the preparation. Use the managing change steps which end in a verbal committment to give it a try.
During the announcement/managing change meeting, engage the impacted people in creating the reliable method. This is where a lot of discussion is a good thing. Try to tease out some of the secrets and tricks and make sure everyone understands them. In the end, everyone must understand the measurement of success and the specific steps that will be the baseline process.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Business Builder Bob - Reliable Processes #3
How to create Reliable Methods:
The first two steps have been taken...
1. Think about all activities as processes
2. Determine which process is most important
Next, write down the results you expect from this process. Better yet, determine what your customer's expectations are. Find a way to measure the expected results. It is human nature to treat something as important if the boss or owner pays attention to it. Having a measurement and discussing results periodically is a great way to make this process important to the people engaged in the process.
Now let's get down to the guts of the reliable method - what are the steps to complete the activity. Again, I suggest you write them down even if you are the only person doing the activity. You are creating a baseline for your process...the way you will do this process until you specifically make a change for the better.
Finally, determine the best way to do each step. Be careful to identify only those aspects of the method that are critical to success. For example, it may be critical to tighten a bolt to a specific tension, but it probably doesn't matter if you use your right hand or left hand to turn the wrench.
Homework: choose a relatively simple, but important process and write down the steps.
The first two steps have been taken...
1. Think about all activities as processes
2. Determine which process is most important
Next, write down the results you expect from this process. Better yet, determine what your customer's expectations are. Find a way to measure the expected results. It is human nature to treat something as important if the boss or owner pays attention to it. Having a measurement and discussing results periodically is a great way to make this process important to the people engaged in the process.
Now let's get down to the guts of the reliable method - what are the steps to complete the activity. Again, I suggest you write them down even if you are the only person doing the activity. You are creating a baseline for your process...the way you will do this process until you specifically make a change for the better.
Finally, determine the best way to do each step. Be careful to identify only those aspects of the method that are critical to success. For example, it may be critical to tighten a bolt to a specific tension, but it probably doesn't matter if you use your right hand or left hand to turn the wrench.
Homework: choose a relatively simple, but important process and write down the steps.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Business Builder Bob - Reliable Processes #2
What is a Reliable Method?
Reliable processes are made up of Reliable Methods. Here are some characteristics of a reliable method.
1. It has an owner.
2. It is believed to be the best way to do the activity in terms of cost, quality,
safety, efficiency, etc.
3. It has a measurable outcome.
4. The reason for using the reliable method is understood.
5. It is continuously improved.
Take a look at the 5-6 most important processes in your business. I asked you to give this some thought in the first blog on this subject. Do any of them meet all of these criteria.
Most methods come up short due to point #5 - continuous improvement or point #3 - a measureable outcome. If your method has a measurable outcome, then it is possible to experiment with changes that you think will improve the process. It is the nature of a competitive market to continuously improve.
The whole concept of a reliable method breaks down if there is not a baseline way to do the activity and a measurable outcome. If you don't have measurements for your 5-6 most important business processes, can you come up with one? A simple measure is better and more likely to be done on an ongoing basis.
Don't worry if you don't know how to get to a reliable process from where you are. We will walk through some techniques in the next couple of posts.
Reliable processes are made up of Reliable Methods. Here are some characteristics of a reliable method.
1. It has an owner.
2. It is believed to be the best way to do the activity in terms of cost, quality,
safety, efficiency, etc.
3. It has a measurable outcome.
4. The reason for using the reliable method is understood.
5. It is continuously improved.
Take a look at the 5-6 most important processes in your business. I asked you to give this some thought in the first blog on this subject. Do any of them meet all of these criteria.
Most methods come up short due to point #5 - continuous improvement or point #3 - a measureable outcome. If your method has a measurable outcome, then it is possible to experiment with changes that you think will improve the process. It is the nature of a competitive market to continuously improve.
The whole concept of a reliable method breaks down if there is not a baseline way to do the activity and a measurable outcome. If you don't have measurements for your 5-6 most important business processes, can you come up with one? A simple measure is better and more likely to be done on an ongoing basis.
Don't worry if you don't know how to get to a reliable process from where you are. We will walk through some techniques in the next couple of posts.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Business Builder Bob - Reliable Processes #1
Process Thinking:
Let's consider that almost anything we do is a process. In a manufacturing business this includes manufacturing processes, order entry, inventory control, budgeting, strategic planning and many, many more activities. In a home business this could include posting ads, writing blogs, networking, list building, phone calling and many more.
The best way to effectively control costs, satisfy customers, and manage your business effectively is to make sure all of your business processes are reliable processes. Certainly if this is new thinking for you, this should be applied first to those aspects of your business that are most important to the success of your business.
Think of a business process as something you do that has a series of steps that must be followed to complete the process. Each process should have a start and an end.
Homework: start a list of your business processes by brainstorming....write down every business process you can think of. Then go back and select the 5 or 6 that are most important to the success of your business.
Business Builder Bob
Bob Tetu
businessbuilderbob@gmail.com
610-624-3395
Startup and Turnaround Specialist
Let's consider that almost anything we do is a process. In a manufacturing business this includes manufacturing processes, order entry, inventory control, budgeting, strategic planning and many, many more activities. In a home business this could include posting ads, writing blogs, networking, list building, phone calling and many more.
The best way to effectively control costs, satisfy customers, and manage your business effectively is to make sure all of your business processes are reliable processes. Certainly if this is new thinking for you, this should be applied first to those aspects of your business that are most important to the success of your business.
Think of a business process as something you do that has a series of steps that must be followed to complete the process. Each process should have a start and an end.
Homework: start a list of your business processes by brainstorming....write down every business process you can think of. Then go back and select the 5 or 6 that are most important to the success of your business.
Business Builder Bob
Bob Tetu
businessbuilderbob@gmail.com
610-624-3395
Startup and Turnaround Specialist
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