dmackey said:
Hi Everyone.
I've spent a good deal of time searching for some basic tools that I can give to my management team to help them identify the processes and sub-processes in their areas, but haven't found anything simple and direct. The one thing that I am desperately trying to avoid is going from helping them to doing it for them. It is an important part of successful implementation that they fully understand and are able to work within a process approach. Can anyone give me some ideas or is willing to share some examples with me?
Thanks.
Start at the top. Clarify why the organisation exists. State the “mission” (objective) or do the “elevator test” (30 seconds to explain what the organisation does / why it exists). For example, your objective may be to “develop, supply and support the most comprehensive and easy-to-use software for business process management”.
Then define the policies you follow - the intentions and principles which provide a framework and guidance for what you want to achieve and how you will operate. For example: “to establish a reputation for explaining the underlying principles clearly and simply - to identify and develop relationships with referrers and consultants who understand the approach and can promote the software - to produce high-class software which is easy to use and provides a practical method for an organisation to define and communicate how it works …”.
Specify what you will do to achieve your objectives and implement these policies (ie list the operational processes). For example: “plan and organise how you work - promote the organisation - identify and contract with potential customers - develop software - install and support software - review progress and make improvements”.
You also need to ensure that you have and maintain the means to achieve the above. So your management system (and therefore your business operations) can be defined as a simple network of processes by recording:
- what you do and how you do it
- what you need to manage (resources, people, influences) to ensure that these core processes are efficient
- how you ensure that you comply with relevant standards and plans, and make improvements where possible.
Almost all organisations do the following:
- Plan and organise
- Get and do work
- Manage resources (including people)
- Review and improve.
That should help to identify the processes - the next challenge is to define each one to the correct level of detail to ensure consistent performance without excessive narative.
