Summary 1. In your own words what are the main points and ideas of the material in the chapter? Business processes are one of the most critical and valuable assets of an organization. Unlike technical and scientific processes, business processes involve an interfusion of tasks and activities conducted by workers throughout the organization. Almost every facet of a business, no matter what the size, is implicated by a myriad of processes. From hiring and training to marketing and servicing, intricate processes potentially impact how businesses function. They require a great degree of cooperation and partnership with one another, cross-functional understanding, and interdependencies among departments. Processes involve the ability to manage and control the complex development, delivery, and maintenance of tasks. When we conduct a job analysis, we need to differentiate whether a task is an associated process or if it is an actual procedure. We also need to analyze and synthesize what particular functions within the organization consist of processes. This involves a deep understanding of how the specific phase of each process is linked to the tasks. Well-defined and designed processes can dictate the quality of performance and overall work flow. Designating and documenting processes can set a benchmark from which workers and organizations can flourish. Identifying key processes and knowing the right methods in which to deliver them can increase the efficiency and effectiveness of how something works. Potential implications can be detrimental when a process breaks down or the right knowledge is not provided to the workers. It is vital that we are proactive and provide just the right amount of detail to ensure that training suppor... ... middle of paper ... ...of processes and then outline who is responsible for completing the tasks and what actions need to be administered. This allows the workers to fully understand their role and promote ownership while still working as part of a team. Flow diagrams and process tables can help identify and prioritize tasks based on their importance. Utilizing these techniques reinforces task flow and confirms the significance of the workers' role in the process. It also enables the workers to understand the performance expectations established for each notable task. The entire concept of processes revolves around the workers. Their performance expectations and requirements are key elements in determining who does what and when. They also provide an equitable basis for appraising performance. Clarifying performance expectations can ensure that the workers know what is expected of them.
2. You should use quotes throughout your paper and not just in the beginning. Your last few paragraphs do not have any support from the novel itself.
Workflow is a series of sequencial steps that take place, creating a process to complete a task. The process, generally speaking, involves two or more individuals and creates or adds value to an organization. Workflows are a standardization of work that takes into account quality, productivity, cost, safety and moral depending on the type of process flow (Liker & Meier, 2006). Workflow analysis includes observation and documentation of the process to better understand the current state. Viewing the current state, one can then begin to analyse the process, looking for opportunites of redesign, waste, and value added activities (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2012). “The focus in any process is always on creating
2. What is the book’s thesis (the author’s main argument or interpretation of the theme)?
In today's competitive marketplace, all firms are seeking ways to improve their overall performance. One such method of improvement, recently adopted by many firms, is benchmarking. Benchmarking is a technique used to evaluate internal business processes. "In this analysis, managers determine the firm's critical processes and outputs, baseline those processes, then compare the performance of each process against a standard outside the industry" (Bounds, Yorks, Adams, & Ranney 1994). To effectively improve a business process to world-class quality, managers must find a firm that is recognized as a global leader, not just the industry standard. Successful benchmarking requires tailor-made solutions, not just blind copying of another organization. Measurement and interpretation of data collected is the key to creating business process solutions.
13 Jacobs, D.A. and Keating C.B. “Process Analysis and Personnel Development Program. Jefferson Lab, Newport News, VA, April 1998.
2) What is the main conflict in the book? Is it external or internal? How is this conflict resolved throughout the course of the book?
T his essay discusses some question I was given to answer. What the que stions you ask let's see. What is the opening scene of the novel? Where and when is it? What does this scene say about the values and culture of the novel’s characters?
Bjerke, Juel M. "Week 2 Lecture Notes - Achieving Business Process Excellence and Process Re-engineering." MFGO 601 - The Globally Integrated Manufacturing Company. 2 Nov. 2011.
I did not read this book to its full capacity, but I read roughly 25% of the book. This report was written using information from the part that I did read.
Here are some of the main points that I gathered from each chapter of this book:
Procedural task analysis: observing and studying the visible details of current and optimal job performance by watching the interaction between the performer and the objective of the performance and also understanding thoroughly the future
...mportant point. The process design is where everything starts coming together. The plan starts to unfold and the outlook can be more realistically seen. The process design gives the tangible layout to where the operations strategy will go. Through the next steps, individual parts of the operations are changed, eventually leading to a smoother process in creating final goods. From there the next big cost is found in Inventory. For businesses large costs are accumulated from the inventory supply. In modern business the use of just-in-time manufacturing is helping cope with decreasing inventory size. With the largest question in today’s business world being, “How do we operate in the global market place?” either selling or producing goods takes a good operations strategy. Understanding Operations Management helps provide a framework and an method to solving the issues.
Here are some Critical Thinking Questions to help you familiarize yourself with Chapter 2! (This is not an assignment, just an exercise to help you become more comfortable with the chapter).
Janićijević, N. (2010). Business processes in organizational diagnosis. Journal of Contemporary Management Issues, 15(2), 85-106. Retrieved March 12, 2014, from the OAIster database.
Processes are purposeful events that achieve a goal (Source Making, 2014). Making computers for sale, processing patient samples to inform a doctor of the health status of a patient, or building a road are all processes. Each process in a business is interdependent and must either be performed sequentially or in in parallel (Source Making, 2014). Each process must be mapped and planned so that they are executed in an organized and controlled manner.