1st Edition

Achieve Lasting Process Improvement

By Bennet Lientz, Kathryn Rea Copyright 2002

    Methods of improving business processes are developed on an ongoing basis, but few are successful. Common problems encountered include the failure of processes to meet expectations and the inability to sustain or replicate these business processes. Involvement of personnel at grassroots level, as well as at management level, is essential in implementing effective process improvement methods.

    The authors present a step-by-step approach to the issue of effective process improvement, offering more than 200 tips and guidelines as well as addressing specific common problems and issues. The strategy presented is to take a broad and intuitive, but learned view of process improvement methods, and the tactics expounded are based on guidelines, common faults, and lessons learned. The authors disparage process improvement operations that depend on jargon and the support of just upper management, and promote grassroots involvement and self-sustaining measurement, making this an essential guide for all with involvement in process improvement.

    Part 1 Prepare for Process Improvement; Chapter 1 Introduction; Chapter 2 Understand Your Business; Chapter 3 Assess Technology and Industry Factors; Part 2 Define the New Business Processes; Chapter 4 Select the Right Processes; Chapter 5 Examine Your Current Business Processes; Chapter 6 Develop a Process Plan; Chapter 7 Define Your New Business Processes and Quick Wins; Part 3 Plan for Process Implementation; Chapter 8 Develop Your Improvement Implementation Strategy; Chapter 9 Develop Your Improvement Implementation Plan; Part 4 Implement and Sustain Process Improvement; Chapter 10 Accomplish Quick Wins; Chapter 11 Implement Improved Processes; Chapter 12 Measure and Maintain Improvement Momentum; Part 5 Deal with Specific Issues; Chapter 13 Management Issues; Chapter 14 Business and Organizational Issues; Chapter 15 Work Issues; Chapter 16 Political and Cultural Issues;

    Biography

    Bennet P. Lientz