Process improvement

If you’re looking to enhancing your organisation’s workflows to increase efficiency, reduce costs, improve quality, and optimise overall performance, then you can do this through various proves improvement methodologies. There are several tools aimed at identifying inefficiencies, eliminating waste, and streamlining processes. Browse the resources below to find out more about improving efficiency, quality and identifying waste.

Books:

These books offer a solid foundation in various process improvement methodologies and are suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners looking to deepen their knowledge and enhance their skills.

  1. The Toyota Way: 14 Management Principles from the World’s Greatest Manufacturer by Jeffrey Liker – Provides insights into Toyota’s success and its Lean manufacturing principles.
  2. Lean Thinking: Banish Waste and Create Wealth in Your Corporation by James Womack and Daniel Jones – Explores the principles of Lean Thinking and how they can be applied to eliminate waste and improve processes.
  3. Six Sigma: The Breakthrough Management Strategy Revolutionizing the World’s Top Corporations by Mikel Harry and Richard Schroeder – A comprehensive guide to Six Sigma methodology and its application in various industries.
  4. Improving Performance: How to Manage the White Space on the Organization Chart by Geary Rummler and Alan Brache – Focuses on identifying and managing the critical processes that drive organizational performance.
  5. Kaizen: The Key to Japan’s Competitive Success by Masaaki Imai – An introduction to the philosophy and practice of continuous improvement (Kaizen), with practical examples from Japanese companies.

 

Articles:

  1. Process improvement methodologies – This article from Asana provides a valuable introduction to various process improvement methodologies and highlights the importance of optimising your business processes for success.
  2. Process Improvement – Details different approaches to process improvement. Some of the important points from this article are that companies should focus on both process improvement and innovation, and that customer satisfaction should be a primary goal.
  3. Lean process improvement – This article focuses on Lean process improvement and how it can be applied within Agile project management methodologies.
  4. Creating a Culture of Continuous Improvement This article by Harvard Business Review explores the importance of fostering a culture of continuous improvement within your organisation. It provides tips on how to encourage employee participation and make process improvement an ongoing practice.
  5. The Lean Startup – This article by Eric Ries, author of the book “The Lean Startup,” introduces the concept of Lean applied to startups and product development. It emphasizes building a minimum viable product (MVP), iterating based on customer feedback, and focusing on validated learning.

 

Guides:

  1. A Guide to Six Sigma – This webpage by the American Society for Quality (ASQ) provides a basic introduction to Six Sigma. It explains the DMAIC cycle and how Six Sigma can be used to identify and eliminate defects in processes.
  2. How to Streamline Your Business Processes in 5 Steps – This article offers practical steps to streamline your business processes. It highlights the importance of mapping processes, identifying bottlenecks, and implementing improvements.
  3. The Ultimate Guide to Process Improvement Tools – This article from Process Street discusses various tools and software applications that can be used to support process improvement initiatives. These tools can help with tasks like workflow automation, data analysis, and project management.
  4. The Chartered Quality Institute (CQI) Guide to Business Process Improvement – The CQI, a professional body for quality professionals, offers a practical guide to business process improvement. It delves into areas like process mapping, root cause analysis, and change management, providing valuable tools and techniques for optimizing your processes.
  5. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Guide to Process ImprovementThis guide by NIST offers a foundational understanding of process improvement principles. It outlines key steps for identifying improvement opportunities, analysing processes, and implementing effective changes.

 

Podcasts:

  1. The Gemba Academy Podcast – this podcast delves deep into the realms of Lean, Six Sigma, and general business efficiency, featuring thought leaders and practitioners who share their journeys, challenges, and successes in refining processes.
  2. The Lean Solutions Podcast with Patrick Adams – listeners can discover a plethora of strategies for implementing lean methodologies in their operations, direct from the voices of experts and influencers in the field.
  3. The Process Improvement Podcast by MSICertified – The Management and Strategy Institute discusses process improvement and continuous improvement methods like Six Sigma, Project Management, and Total Quality.

Tools:

 

  1. LucidchartA popular option for creating visual representations of workflows and processes. It offers a user-friendly interface and integrates with various project management tools.
  2. Kissflow ProcessThis software provides a comprehensive suite for process mapping, workflow automation, and business process management (BPM). It allows you to design, automate, and optimize workflows within a single platform.
  3. MinitabThis software is particularly suited for Six Sigma projects. It provides advanced statistical analysis tools to help you identify defects, analyse root causes, and improve process quality.
  4. SlackA popular communication platform that can be used to facilitate collaboration during process improvement initiatives. It allows teams to share information, discuss ideas, and track progress on improvement projects.
  5. Power BI (Microsoft)A powerful business intelligence tool that helps you analyse process data and identify improvement opportunities. It allows you to create interactive dashboards and reports to track key performance indicators (KPIs) related to your processes.

 

By understanding the importance of process improvement, the different methodologies available, and the benefits it can bring, you can take steps to optimise your business processes and achieve greater success.