4 process improvement myths busted
4 process improvement myths busted
4 process improvement myths busted
True Six Sigma is what most business owners aim to get their processes to, as it means the processes work on close to 0 defects (3.4 Defects per Million Opportunities). That said Given the variables affecting most workplaces, Six Sigma projects may not be necessarily the best answer.
And thus, when you talk process improvement, expect to find many myths associated. They are busted below
Myth 1 All processes need improvement
See the case study from one of my projects below
Company A produces 100 units of a steel item in a month. The employees seemingly work on full potential, as this labor intensive task was done on full utilization of time. There was no scope of automation, as the company was too small to afford it. When the company owner invited to do process improvement, after studying his processes, I exclaimed, "What do you wish me to improve?"
"What do you mean by that? I want my company to produce 120 units." he said.
"True. But your folks are working at 100% potential. You don't wish to automate, neither do you wish to invest some extra money. In this case, your process is fully capable and in statistical control (The deviation was under control too)." I retorted.
What I want to say is this Not all processes can be improved. And if you wish to improve them, some external investment is needed, which brings me to Myth 2.
Myth 2 Automation is the key to all process improvement activities
Most Quality Management and Lean practices will tell you there has to be a way to automate processes. If you thought automation is the HOLY GRAIL to process improvement activities, think otherwise. I have worked on many projects where the project objective was exceeded, and that was accomplished without me involving any extraneous need for automation.
Myth 3 Pre-conceived ideas and strategies work
A lot of process improvement experts carry the weight of their process improvement experience into new projects, thinking ideas they implemented in the past would work. As a process improvement expert, this could be your road to doomsday.
Process improvement is all about tackling a problem at hand, and no two problems can have the same solution. It is a big myth that pre-conceived ideas would work, because they don't. At best, the experience could be a very good guide for you to, but that is where it stops.
Myth 4 Thinking too far ahead, will help
A lot of process improvement experts proclaim themselves to be extremely foresighted. I disagree. Process improvement is a step-step approach. Some foresight will definitely help, but that is only at the start of the process improvement activity. Once you are down to improving processes, you would find that execution of the task at hand is going to be the most critical.
Thinking too far ahead in process improvement will not help, definitely at all times.
Basically, by busting these myths, I wish to make lives easier for a lot of people who wish to make a career in process improvement and process excellence.
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