Introduction to Process Improvement Compiled by: Alex J. Ruiz-Torres, Ph.D. From information developed by many.

Outline Definitions Developments Philosophies

Definitions Process A set of activities interconnected by a common goal A set of activities that transforms a set of inputs into a set of outputs Business processes (Bps) are defined as a set of activities that Are “well” defined and structured Create a product /output for a customer (internal or external) Require resources ($, space, human, machine,…) and inputs (information, raw materials, …) Can be measured

Definitions Process improvement is a series of actions taken to identify, analyze and improve existing processes within an organization to meet new goals and objectives. These actions often follow a specific methodology or strategy to create successful results. Process Improvement is a method to introduce process changes to improve quality, better customer service, reduce costs, or accelerate schedules. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Process_improvement

Developments Process improvements is part of human evolutionary nature Those who did not evolve new processes to hunt, gather, …, farm and form groups died faster Evolution Those organizations that …. go bankrupt

Developments Industrial revolution: from customized/ artisan production systems to efficiency focused/ standardized products/ mass production systems This is a top level process change Assembly line Taylor’s approach / scientific management/ standardization World War 2 represented a new stage in mass production/ process change http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_management

Philosophies TQM – not directly about productivity but has many areas of interaction. Toyota Production System / Lean Systems Business Process Reengineering DMAIC and Six Sigma