Where do YOU begin process improvement when there is no process to begin with?
Michael HoardFounder & CEO| Michael Hoard ConsultingHope Valley, Ri, United States
I'm often faced with this exact conundrum. I will typically start with assessing current state and developing a baseline. Something to build metrics around and measure to. Ideas? Thoughts? Saving Changes...
Sandeep Kumar MKPM - Infrastructure Services| MPHASIS LTDBengaluru, Karnataka, India
First have a standard process with the help of team.
To understand the process gaps - A better approach is to ask your leaders, Front line managers, SMEs and team members to share Process document and then review them all. I am sure there will be gaps and difference and then standardize the Process and release the Standard Process to team.
Post that you may bring in Continuous improvement and Lean methodologies to reduce time, effort and increase quality.
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1 reply by Michael Hoard
May 23, 2018 12:50 PM
Michael Hoard
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I love the idea of bringing CI and Lean into the conversation early. Speaks to what Rami added with focusing on the people. Something like 4DX is a Continuous Improvement concept that is heavily focused on the people.
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
I begin with improving the team if there is no process. If you are using agile then People & Interactions values over Processes & Tools.
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2 replies by Drew Craig and Michael Hoard
May 23, 2018 12:48 PM
Michael Hoard
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Excellent ... couldn't agree more. Focusing on the people should always be the starting point. It ensures engagement, for one, and can help in minimizing resistance to the change.
May 23, 2018 2:49 PM
Drew Craig
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I'd go even further and say that regardless of what approach, People & Interactions values over Processes & Tools!
Saving Changes...
Michael HoardFounder & CEO| Michael Hoard ConsultingHope Valley, Ri, United States
May 23, 2018 12:40 PM
Replying to Rami Kaibni
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I begin with improving the team if there is no process. If you are using agile then People & Interactions values over Processes & Tools.
Excellent ... couldn't agree more. Focusing on the people should always be the starting point. It ensures engagement, for one, and can help in minimizing resistance to the change.
...
1 reply by Rami Kaibni
May 23, 2018 12:53 PM
Rami Kaibni
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Exactly and can certainly increase commitment.
Saving Changes...
Michael HoardFounder & CEO| Michael Hoard ConsultingHope Valley, Ri, United States
May 23, 2018 12:05 PM
Replying to Sandeep Kumar MK
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First have a standard process with the help of team.
To understand the process gaps - A better approach is to ask your leaders, Front line managers, SMEs and team members to share Process document and then review them all. I am sure there will be gaps and difference and then standardize the Process and release the Standard Process to team.
Post that you may bring in Continuous improvement and Lean methodologies to reduce time, effort and increase quality.
I love the idea of bringing CI and Lean into the conversation early. Speaks to what Rami added with focusing on the people. Something like 4DX is a Continuous Improvement concept that is heavily focused on the people. Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
May 23, 2018 12:48 PM
Replying to Michael Hoard
...
Excellent ... couldn't agree more. Focusing on the people should always be the starting point. It ensures engagement, for one, and can help in minimizing resistance to the change.
Exactly and can certainly increase commitment. Saving Changes...
Drew CraigSr. Agile & Product Coach| VanguardPhiladelphia, Pa, United States
Talk to people - conversations & questions! :) Saving Changes...
Drew CraigSr. Agile & Product Coach| VanguardPhiladelphia, Pa, United States
May 23, 2018 12:40 PM
Replying to Rami Kaibni
...
I begin with improving the team if there is no process. If you are using agile then People & Interactions values over Processes & Tools.
I'd go even further and say that regardless of what approach, People & Interactions values over Processes & Tools! Saving Changes...
Anton OosthuizenSenior Business Analyst / Project Manager| Self EmployedPretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
Have no problem with applying agile principles but the idea of process improvement does imply that there must be a current process in place right? If something is being done at the moment then there is a process. It might be so crappy that people would comment that they do not have a process but this is not true. Doing something wrong does not mean there is no process.
So I would start by baselining an 'AS IS'. Based on this you will be able to determine if you need to jump into the 'People & Interactions' over 'Processes & Tools'. Remember the agile principle does not say that the one should be neglected over the other, it says that if you have to choose. If you sit with a really broken process you need to pay attention to that fist otherwise you might sit with an Olympic swimming team and an empty pool.
Hi Michael, The best part of not having any good processes is that you get to do a sales pitch here to the team and convince them to pick the best process. Often time, if there are norms and procedures being followed, making changes is a challenge. There will be resistance to change. However, in your case it is to bring all stakeholders in place, ask them what can make their lives better and tailor processes to incorporate their feedback. Since you are involving stakeholders upfront, resistance would be less and they will be more enthusiastic to provide feedback for improvements. Saving Changes...
Shivanjali BhutkarBringing Technology and Business togetherNa, Ca, United States
start smaller. see what people need in team and get feedback after you implement. Saving Changes...
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