February 2005 Volume 9

Inside the February issue:

Question of the month: What results do project teams see when they use “change management” methods? Find the answer at the end of this newsletter.

BY Sean Battles
February 25, 2005

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We add a new article each week, so check back frequently for the latest news and information. And if there is a topic not covered here that you’d like to see, please let us know. We gladly welcome your suggestions and feedback!

Creating Well-Defined Processes

In the last month, we’ve discussed some important topics in creating well-defined processes. You saw how important it is to first define continuous improvement and note how it can actually affect your business. It’s all about collecting the necessary feedback to set the right priorities for your change process. The more feedback you get the better you will be able to evolve your process.

Identify Core Processes

You saw where to begin to change your process. We looked at how to identify a gap in one of your company’s core processes by following the money trail through five key steps: define your business model, create a process map, examine financial statements, set velocity and determine leverage. And we pulled all of this together with an operations assessment, which results in a Gap Analysis. This helps you identify your core processes and performance metrics in order for you to achieve your objectives.

Create Process and Procedure Maps

You saw how both process and procedure maps are crucial in an organization. And so as a rule of thumb, you should never develop a procedure or system of procedures without first creating a process and procedure map. Acting like a table of contents, a process map helps organize the chapters of a complex book in a way that this knowledge can easily be communicated, understood and applied.

Utilize Six Sigma Tools

And finally you saw how you can achieve higher sigma levels and lower errors by developing a system of policies and procedures of measurement, analysis and documentation. And with this you saw that reducing your error rate and moving toward perfection with Six Sigma tools is well worth the driving time – and, more, crucial to your system’s control.

So, with all of this, did you also see why well-defined processes are so critical?

Reduce Error and Waste – and Save Costs

When organizations clearly define processes, then they have the opportunity to monitor and improve them. This keeps the system consistent, efficient and effective. Also they can save costs by reducing error (waste) in the processes and in the whole system. And hopefully now you can see why well-defined processes are so critical for the success in your organization.

Reader Feedback

So far, you’ve given us a great response to the emails and newsletters. Many have said that they are “informative”, “interesting” and “very helpful” for making informed decisions.

And many readers have also given us great suggestions for future article topics in the coming weeks. Thank you very much! So, please, keep offering us your comments. After all, we want to discuss the issues that are important to you. Let me know at sean@bizmanualz.com. Thanks again!

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On That Note

Answer to this month's question:

Project teams that use change management have been able to reduce turnover, accelerate implementation of the change, and reduce productivity loss and employee resistance.

Learn how in the March issue. Until then…

Best,
Sean Battles
Marketing Manager
Bizmanualz

P.S. And, remember, I want to know what you think. So please email me at sean@bizmanualz.com with any comments, questions, stories, or just to say hello.