Process Improvement

[Richard Turnock richardturnock c]

Posted by ""Richard Turnock"" <richardturnock@comcast.net>

Below is a draft of a systems approach to learning about process improvement.
I wrote this today to teach the President of a small company about the concept
of controls (synonym for “feedback”). Maybe this can be a template for
learning about SD where you can change the names of the stocks and flows
depending on the application. Maybe this deals with some of the comments and
concerns of Jean-Jacques Laublé and others. For example, is this a way to
model a definition of SD?

I would appreciate any comments, additions or changes.


Richard


Richard Turnock & Associates
richardturnock@comcast.net



>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


Process Improvement using Controls

Internal controls primarily refer to accounting. The description below
might also apply to understanding internal controls except with different
examples.

Improvements to work processes happen when management uses a control
(also called feedback loop) instead of direct supervision of tasks.
Control: when management analyzes the output of a process and makes
a decision to change the material inputs or the process.

Why Controls? Controls free up management from direct supervision
of tasks so they save time. Controls exercise management power so
they demonstrate leadership. Controls reduce overall costs and
increase quality of output that leads to increased revenue from
repeat customers.

Aux. Variable: Control=A FUNCTION OF(Control, Resulting Output)
Rate: Incoming Material = A FUNCTION OF( Control)
Level: Process = A FUNCTION OF( Incoming Material,-Resulting Output)
Rate: Resulting Output = A FUNCTION OF( )

The double lines represent material flows such as documents,
standards used in the process, procedures for the process etc.
The single lines through the “control” represent information
about the incoming materials, the process and the resulting output.
A control is a decision to make a change and is not a document or
any material object.

Examples of changes:

• More accurate – double-checking facts, format or references;
improve procedures; define or require more specific quantitative
measurements during the process. Think of ways to measure accuracy.

• Fewer inconsistencies – improve standards, guides or target for
comparison with expected output; improve procedures to get consistent
results at each step of the process. Think of ways to measure
consistency.

• Wider range of applications – apply a process that is working well
to other work products; add controls to key processes. Think of ways
to apply controls to more outputs.

• Simplify – get rid of supervisory tasks during the process; get rid
of unnecessary tasks; get rid of delays; improve focus. Think of ways
to get employees to suggest how to simplify things.

Posted by ""Richard Turnock"" <richardturnock@comcast.net> posting date Wed, 4 Jan 2006 21:37:22 -0800