Last week we identified the most common process maturity level in many organizations, phase one — Reactive.  Few organizations are able to advance much farther up in management system maturity.  This week we will look at the next two levels in our process maturity model that describe the phases in which an effective management system comes to life.  The Documentation and Stability Phases.

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Innovation means being willing to look at what you’re doing from a fresh perspective or to think outside the box. Innovation fuels improvement: improved products and features, improved methods, and improved knowledge.

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A frequent topic at Bizmanualz is innovation.  Innovation means being willing to look at what you’re doing from a fresh perspective or to think outside the box.  Innovation fuels improvement:  improved products and features, improved methods, and improved knowledge. 

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Interest in Lean Thinking continues to grow. Many people have attended Lean training to learn the tools used to implement lean. But one question remains for many – how or where do you start to “lean out” your organization?

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Goals are something we’re all familiar with, in our work and personal lives. There are really two ways to set goals: they can be something we strive for, or something we start from. Most people are familiar with goals we strive for — we call this projection. But when we set a goal that is something we start from, what is this called?

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Last week we talked about process improvement and layoffs. This week let’s look at applying a little quality magic to make the impossible possible. If you believe in quality

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Last week we talked about working harder, working smarter and waste. This week I would like to discuss process improvement and layoffs. Think of this as improve too fast and you will have no choice but to

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Part 1 of a four-Part Series

This month, we will examine the organizational design principles that lead to the foundation required for successful process improvement programs. Tools like Six Sigma, Lean Thinking and Theory of Constraints are great but

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Part 3 of a Three-Part Series

This month we are examining different process improvement programs on the market. Last week we discussed Lean Thinking and its application in mature industries, service businesses, or organizations that handle few transactions. This week we are going to look at throughput improvement or

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(Part 2 of aThree-Part Series)

This month, we’re examining different process improvement programs on the market. Last week, we discussed Six Sigma and its application in high technology, high transaction, or expensive error environments. But if you are in a mature industry,

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