I would like to ask the following questions regarding process improvement.
1) If within a certain process a proposal for example was sent to a customer. The next activity on this process would happen when the customer signs the proposal and send it back. Would this activity and the following ones separated in a separate process or the process will remain active till the customer send the signed proposal?
2) How does the parallel activities represented in process maps?
3) What is the suitable book I can read to understand exactly how to develop and improve the processes in a software house? Saving Changes...
Michael WoodProject Manager / Business Analyst / Business Process Improvement Guru| Independent ContractorGig Harbor, Wa, United States
Amr,
Here are my thoughts
1 on separtating processes - Answer: If you want to track the lapsed time between submission and approval then I would separate them into separate steps in the proposal approval process.
2 on denoting parallel activities - Answer: All depends on the process mapping technique used. Some maps number the steps sequentially in which case the parallel steps would both get the same number.
In flowchart oriented maps (i.e. swim lanes) you could create a footnote or use some other notation to indicate concurrent events.
3 on Suitable Books - Answer: Process is Process… Don’t let the software house focus throw you.
I would be happy to send you my book The Helix Factor – the key to streamlining your business processes, with my compliments.
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1 reply by Marvin Shembab
Nov 29, 2018 4:58 PM
Marvin Shembab
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Michael- Reading your book and finding it very interesting. Have you utilized value stream mapping to supplement the Helix process to help identify non value added steps?
Michael, Thank you very much for your response. However for the first question I guess you misunderstood me. My question was do I need to end the first process after the activity where we send the proposal and start another process upon receiving the signed proposal from the customer or leave the send activity and the activity done after signing the proposal in the same process.
For the second quesiton your answer was crystal clear. Thanks.
For the Third question thank you for the link and I would love to receive your book to help me. I'm not sure do you want to email ([email protected]) a PDF file that contains the book or you want to mail it (150 West 36th street, NY, 10018, 3rd floor, Aria Systems, Inc.)to me? Please let me know which way is suitable for you? Saving Changes...
Michael WoodProject Manager / Business Analyst / Business Process Improvement Guru| Independent ContractorGig Harbor, Wa, United States
AMR,
Your book is on its way.
Back to your first question on ending and starting a new process. If I understand the question you are looking for when the Proposal process ends. Almost every end-to-end process has a core object that is the focus of the process. In sales processing it’s the order; in purchasing it’s the Purchase Order. In an RFP process it’s the proposal. Each phase in a process transforms the primary object to a new state. When the primary object stops transforming the process is done.
For example
A. Received Request for Proposal (RFP) (starting point)
B. RFP Researched
C. RFP Response Prepared
D. Proposal Submitted
E. Proposal Accepted (ending point)
Once the Proposal is accepted the process ends and a new process begins which is the project or implementation effort.
The starting point is Accepted Proposal and the last state is Delivered Project / Completed Implementation.
Hope I got it right this time.
Saving Changes...
Linda HillProgram Manager| MicrosoftRenton, Wa, United States
Hi Michael - I have been assigned to reengineer the current maintenance process. The production maintenace team supports activities such as responding to user issues, maintaining the system physically, incorporting enhancements, and performing preventative maintenance. I am wondering if your book would be of value for this process? Saving Changes...
Michael WoodProject Manager / Business Analyst / Business Process Improvement Guru| Independent ContractorGig Harbor, Wa, United States
Hi Linda, you can never find enough tools or accumulate enough knowledge on how to improve business processes. I would be happy to send you my book (no charge of course)and encourage you to check out amazon and other bookstores for PI related books. Just email me your address and I will send one off. Good Luck Saving Changes...
Hello Michael, If it is possible i would also like to receive your book (e-mail [email protected]) Saving Changes...
Michael WoodProject Manager / Business Analyst / Business Process Improvement Guru| Independent ContractorGig Harbor, Wa, United States
Aurimas, always happy to help out a fellow ganttheadian.... I will email you shortly to get your mailing address.... enjoy with my compliments. Saving Changes...
Michael CunninghamPresident/CEO| Harvard Computing Group Inc.Devens, Ma, United States
Another alternative to SwimLane diagrams is the TaskMap model. This is a simplified model that does not require any learning of the graphical form by consumers of the process maps, making it ideal if you have to publish your processes on-line or train users after improvement processes have been completed. It does include roles, guidelines, resources, timeframes, frequency and informational links about work states prior to and after task completion. Specific examples are at http://www.taskmap.com/Applications.html
Would be interested in your feedback and comments. Saving Changes...
Michael WoodProject Manager / Business Analyst / Business Process Improvement Guru| Independent ContractorGig Harbor, Wa, United States
Michael, I like your TaskMap model better than swimlanes. You might find the models used in Helix interesting. You can see the templates at www.botinternational.com. Just follow the Helix links.
Saving Changes...
Michael CunninghamPresident/CEO| Harvard Computing Group Inc.Devens, Ma, United States
Thank you Michael for the comments. I will review your templates. Saving Changes...
