How can Organizations Improve?

This sounds like a simple question, but it is very difficult for most companies.  The strategy is different for different companies and in different industries.  Every company within an industry is different – also business units within companies will differ.  This means that the culture defines an organization and will depend on the path that is needed for achieving results.

One thing is common for all companies moving on the path for performance improvement is that they must embrace the concepts of process management.  This means that to achieve results, an organization must improve processes.  

In a recent project in public education, I discovered that the basic method for making an impact for change is to facilitate the concept of processes.

What is Process Management? 

After all the years of trying to understand the concept of process management, many individuals especially those in non-manufacturing areas still have not understood or grasped the concept in a way that can change their thinking.  In some those in education will say we have processes. 

On further investigation – that statement is not correct.  I have found that most people in education are not process focused.  If you have a process it means:

• You have defined the shareholders of the process

• You have used the SIPOC diagram to determine the scope of the process

• There is a process map which clearly defines the steps in the process

• Everyone refers to the process map and follow the steps

• The process map is used to standardize work that is done

• Each process has a process owner who is responsible for monitoring and measuring the performance of the process

• There are metrics associated with the process, which provides information on process performance

• Corrective actions or a structured problem solving methodology is used to ensure effective process improvement.

What is the Value of Process Improvement?

The education industry is facing several challenges and school districts are required to do more with less.  Implementing a process improvement initiative will:

• Provide a system that focuses on eliminating waste so that work can be done economically and efficiently

• Implement systems to ensure that initiatives do not lose sight of the ultimate customer and stakeholders in general

• Prevent errors from occurring, and move the entire organization towards a structured problem solving methodology

• Build teamwork, within and across departments reducing opportunities for conflicts

• Develop a standard method for communicating within the school district

• Help the district handle relationships between the various stakeholders

• Provide a measurement system in all areas and at all levels that will ensure self-monitoring and improvement

• Implement a method to outline requirements that will ensure alignment with the required results and goals of the district.

• Provide a template for success that can be replicated within the district