The Basics of Process Improvement

Features

• Uses an enterprise perspective to create process understanding
• Outlines the steps in attaining higher process maturity
• Demonstrates linkage to business success, including success tips and tricks for the individual contributor, team, business division, supplier and customer
• Coaches the reader on Process Improvement by providing a playbook for getting started and preparing for rapid growth, increased visibility and demand for services
• Fills a gap in the current "Basics" line and provides an all-in solution to readers on the Process Improvement discipline

Summary

Unlike other books that promote a specific process and performance improvement discipline, this book shows organizations how to achieve success by fixing basic operational issues and problems using a broad and wide-sweeping process-based toolkit. In addition, it helps individuals who have worked in stale- or siloed-thinking enterprises make the transition to a process or improvement-oriented culture and teaches those who are unfamiliar with process tools to look at their work with a new lens and adopt a continuous improvement and analytical-thinking mindset.

The authors have successfully used the various methods, tools, and concepts found in this book to overcome practical, daily problems at various organizations. This book will surely help operators, managers, practitioners, and executives, who are charged with improving processes and workplace culture, produce better products and services

Table of Contents

Introduction to Process Improvement
What Is a Process?
What Are the Characteristics of a Process?
What Are the Different Types of Processes?
What Is Process Improvement?
What Are the Benefits of Process Improvement?
What Are the Core Values of Process Improvement?
What Triggers Process Improvement?
What Is Waste?
What Is Standardization?
What Is Process Maturity?
What Are the Phases of Process Improvement?
Where Do I Start?
Closing Remarks

Process Mapping
What Is Process Mapping?
What Are the Benefits of Process Mapping?
What Is the Difference between Process Mapping and Process Modeling?
What Are the Different Types of Process Maps?
What Do Process Maps Consist of?
What Are the Stages of Process Mapping?
Closing Remarks

Managing Process Improvements
What Is a Process Improvement Framework?
How Do Process Improvement and Strategy Align?
What Are the Phases of Process Improvement?
Closing Remarks

Process Architecture
What Is Process Architecture?
What Are the Benefits of Process Architecture?
What Is the Difference between Process Architectures and Other Architectures?
What Is Process-Oriented Architecture?
What Is Process Modeling?
How Are Process Models Managed?
Where Do I Start?
Closing Remarks

Tools for Improving Processes
What Is Problem Solving?
Basic Tools for Process Improvement
Advanced Tools for Process Improvement
Closing Remarks

Process Improvement Culture
What Is Culture?
What Is a Process Improvement Culture?
What Are the Phases of Culture Change?
What Are the Components of a Great Culture?
How to Change the Behaviors of Others
How Does Leadership Play a Role in Process Improvement?
What Role Does HR Play in Process Improvement?
Closing Remarks

Conclusion
Each Case Is Different
Critical Success Factors
Just Start Doing It

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Glossary