1st Edition
Techniques and Sample Outputs that Drive Business Excellence
Many organizations are looking for that magic tool or methodology that will suddenly transform them into outstanding organizations. Unfortunately, there is no one right answer for all organizations or even for a single organization. Successful organizations skillfully integrate the appropriate improvement approaches with honesty, commitment, and constancy of purpose across all levels of management.
This book, part of The Little Big Book series, discusses the most common set of tools and methodologies used in managerial, strategic planning, project selection, and organizational improvement projects that are referred to throughout The Little Big Book series. It presents, in a concise no-nonsense format, the concepts and techniques that must be mastered by project managers and anyone tasked with managing an improvement project.
The tools covered in this book include affinity diagrams, brainstorming, cause-and-effect diagrams, the Kano model, organizational process improvement, Pareto analysis, project management, risk management, root cause analysis, storyboarding, value propositions, and workflow diagrams.
Because of the large number of tools and techniques covered, the book supplies concise operating guidance for each tool that is adequate to prepare readers to understand and use that tool. It also includes examples of how the tools are used.
The book provides a basic understanding of the tools you need to improve the processes you are currently using to manage your organization and, ultimately, to improve the quality, productivity, and agility of the products or services you are delivering to your customers.
The tools presented in this book are the essential tools that all organizations should be using. By understanding and using the tools covered in this book, you will possess a better overall understanding of the way your organization needs to function in today’s increasingly competitive environment.
This book is designed to supplement and provide additional direction in the use of the methodologies defined in the other books in The Little Big Book series
Affinity Diagrams
Definition
Its Uses
General
Preparation
Example
Software
Additional Reading
Brainstorming (Creative Brainstorming)
Definition
Its Uses
General
Preparation
Options
Example
The Wildest Idea Approach
The Superheroes Approach
Software
Cause-and-Effect Diagram
Definition
Its Uses
General
Preparation
Example
Software
Check Sheet
Definition
Its Uses
General
Preparation
Example
Software
Commitment Building
Definition
Its Uses
General
Preparation
Example
Consensus Building
Definition
Its Uses
General
Preparation
Example
Consequence Management
Definition
Its Uses
General
Preparation
Example
Control Charts
Definition
Its Uses
General
Variables Control Chart
Attributes Control Charts
Preparation
Variables Control Charts
Rules for Identifying Special Causes of Variation
Example
Software
Additional Reading
Cost-Time Charts
Definition
Its Uses
General
Preparation
Example
Software
Data Gathering by Document Review
Definition
Its Uses
General
Preparation
Gathering Data by Document Review
Example
Data Gathering by Interview
Definition
Its Uses
General
Preparation
Preparing for the Interview
Identify Candidates for the Interviews
Arrange the Time and Place for the Interview
Prepare and Distribute Appropriate Briefing
Materials to the Interviewees
Conducting the Interview
Note-Taking
Example
Questioning Technique
Data Gathering by Samples
Definition
Its Uses
General
Sampling and Data Collection
Preparation
Example
Software
Data Gathering by Surveys
Definition
Its Uses
General
Survey Process
Data Collection Method
Self-Completion Surveys
In-Person Interviews
Telephone Surveys
Computer-Assisted Telephone
Interviewing (CATI)
Sources of Error
Bias and Accuracy
Example
Software
Data Stratification
Definition
Its Uses
General
Preparation
Example
Software
Delphi Narrowing Technique
Definition
Its Uses
General
Preparation
Example
Using the Delphi Narrowing Technique
Employee Involvement
Definition
Its Uses
General
Preparation
Example
Facilitated Sessions
Definition
Its Uses
General
Preparation
Example
Flowchart
Definition
Its Uses
General
Preparation
Steps
Guidelines and Tips
Example
Software
Additional Reading
Force Field Analysis
Definition
Its Uses
General
Preparation
Example
Software
Graphs
Definition
Its Uses
General
Preparation
X–Y Axes Graphs
Line Graphs
Multiple Line Graphs
Bar or Column Graphs
Area Graphs
Gantt Charts (also referred to as Milestone or Planning Graphs)
Pictorial Graphs
Example
Software
Kano Model
Definition
Its Uses
General
Preparation
Example
Software
Motivation Management
Definition
Its Uses
General
Preparation
Example
Software
Reference
Negative Analysis
Definition
Its Uses
General
Preparation
Example
Additional Reading
Nominal Group Technique
Definition
Its Uses
General
Preparation
Using the Nominal Group Technique
Example
Software
Additional Reading
Organizational Change Management
Definition
Its Uses
General
Preparation
Example
Elements of a Contract
Ground Rules for Effective Contracting
Contracting for OCM
Effective Contracting
Ask for Feedback
Review the Meeting
Additional Guidelines for Personal Organizational Relationships
Organizational Process Consultation
Definition
Its Uses
General
Preparation
Organizational Process Consultation Issues
Organizational Process Consultation
Interventions
Task-Oriented Behaviors
Relationship-Oriented Behaviors
Example
Conducting Organizational Process Consultation
Consultant’s Role
Observer Role
Software
Reference
Organizational Process Improvement/Business Process Improvement
Definition
Its Uses
General
Preparation for Process Redesign Methodology
Preparation for Process Reengineering Methodology
Phase I: Organizing for Improvement
Phase II: Designing the Best-Value Future-State Solution (BFSS)
Phase III: Implementation, Measurements, and Control
Phase IV: Continuous Improvement
Example
Software
Additional Reading
Pareto Analysis
Definition
Its Uses
General
Preparation
Using Pareto Analysis
Example
Software
Prioritization Matrices
Definition
Its Uses
General
Preparation
Evaluating Using Prioritization Matrices
Example
Software
Process Capability Analysis (Cp)
Definition
Its Uses
General
Preparation
Analyzing Process Capability
Example
Analyze the Data for Process Capability
Perform Further Analysis If Necessary
Further Analysis (2)
Software
Additional Reading
Project Charter
Definition
Its Uses
General
Preparation
Example
Software
Project Management
Definition
Its Uses
General
Preparation
Examples
Project Plan Example
Software
Additional Reading
Risk Management
Definition
Its Uses
General
Dealing with Project Risk
Assessing Project Risk
Preparation
When to Use FMEA
FMEA Procedure
Example
Software
Role Mapping
Definition
Its Uses
General
Preparation
Conducting Role Mapping
Example
Software
Root Cause Analysis
Definition
Its Uses
General
Preparation
Example
Software
Run Charts
Definition
Its Uses
General
Preparation
Using a Run Chart
Example
Software
Scatter Diagrams
Definition
Its Uses
General
Preparation
Example
Software
Solutions Evaluation
Definition
Its Uses
General
Preparation
Example
Storyboarding
Definition
Its Uses
General
Preparation
Example
Software
Additional Reading
Value Analysis
Definition
Its Uses
General
Preparation
Example
Software
Value Engineering (VE)
Definition
Its Uses
General
Preparation
Example
Additional Reading
Value Proposition
Definition
Its Uses
General
Preparation
Example
Software
Reference
Additional Reading
Voting
Definition
Its Uses
General
Preparation
Ballot Voting
Show-of-Hands Voting
What Is a Voting Output?
Voting
Example
Software
Workflow Diagram
Definitions
Its Uses
General
Preparation
Example
Software
Additional Reading
Glossary
Index
Biography
H. James Harrington, Chuck Mignosa