Process Improvement: Let’s Understand the Basics Before Going to the Complex

Process improvement professionals tend to do a deep dive into the methodology immediately after an introduction.  The conversation tends to go something along the lines of “Nice to meet you as well, do you use the DMAIC approach to get at root cause?”  While this is an important question, let’s consider a few fundamental questions which may be useful to understand before we debate methodology.

A Definition of Process improvement

Process improvement is essentially an exercise in problem solving.  One is typically trying to address an organizational problem or create an opportunity.

• A problem is some unwanted state of a person, place, thing or operation.
• Problem solving transforms the unwanted state into a wanted state—e.g., Customers who are complaining about poor quality are satisfied with your product.
• The process consultant typically facilitates the organization to reach goals and create transformative change.

A Process Improvement Approach

The process improvement problem solving approach is typically carried out by considering the individual presenting symptoms (indicators of an issue) and extracting the root cause(s).  You then develop solutions for the root cause(s) to help ensure that you are solving for the key issues versus symptoms…

Process Improvement Outcomes

Process improvement can have a positive impact on a number of organizational areas

• Build a sustainable, competitive advantage globally
  • Invest in process management to deliver meaningful results
  • Common to see a 2-3 times return on investment of your resources
• Support organizational strategy, goals, and objectives
  • Sustain growth of the enterprise: Revenue and earnings
  • Accelerate, expand and improve what you are already doing
  • Build competencies globally
• Build a culture for growth
  • Provide a common approach to process improvement
  • Develop transferrable leadership skills at all levels
  • Enable predictable processes, innovation, and growth

So let’s consider the definition, approach and outcomes of process improvement before we get into more heady discussions.  I find that when my clients understand these baseline concepts we have a much more useful discussion re: the more advanced topics.

What additional fundamental process improvement topics do you find are useful to discuss?

Note: The views expressed in this blog are my opinions and do not in any way reflect the views of my employer.