Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!
By Merle Laird

Wikipedia states that "Business Process Improvement (BPI) is a systematic approach to help any organization optimize its underlying processes to achieve more efficient results."

Simply put, implementing BPI in your business can help steer you in the right direction. It's a tool that can be used to review & modify processes with the end result being a positive, lean and effective machine.

To illustrate, what do you think BPI and NASCAR have in common? Lots of course; it's not just about turning to the left, it's also related to everything that goes on behind the scenes. BPI is your Pit Strategy and that's what makes the difference.

Your questions like: "How can we do this better?", and "Why does my competitor always seem to be a few laps ahead of me?" are symptomatic of the need to address your internal processes. In order for BPI to be highly effective, you must be committed to the process and open to creative ideas and analysis. The process involves seeking understanding through the involvement of all stakeholders, "Owners" and "Drivers" alike.

It is very important to conduct one-on-one interviews with the front line "Pit Crew" members. The results of such interviews enable the creation of process maps for the current state. The "Maintenance Crew" for your BPI makes use of key development tools such as online surveys. Brainstorming sessions and cost improvement workshops will help to identify the areas for opportunity. These tools are used to gain further insight into what is working well and what needs improvement. Implementing a BPI program will drive you miles closer to improvement success. Let's not forget the Action Plan for Implementation which includes all the stakeholders, of your "Racing Team". You will be amazed with the creative ideas that come from each area of the organization.

How do you drive BPI? It is delivered in a project related fashion. All rules of Project Management apply when designing process improvement. It's up to you whether you decide to take the project lead on the improvement committee, or you wish to designate another professional to do so. Then a snapshot of your current process is taken, analyzed and presented back to you with a new set of potential outcomes, or goals. The next step is to roll out the modifications to staff, and orient them on what their role will be towards meeting the new objectives.

The process must be of a measurable nature. This is very important. It will allow for the improvements to be tracked and reporting to continue on a scheduled basis. This procedure is learned during the process, and revisited to ensure that the objectives are being met, or exceeded. If the tracking shows that the process is failing, immediate actions can be taken to correct it, saving time and money.

Can you picture your process more streamlined, with less paperwork, less manual processes and a renewed sense of energy? Like a new car to your "Pit Crew". Your process will improve with minimal redundancies. Add in the value of reduced costs and time savings. You will have more time and budget to put into new product development.

With the Daytona 500 fast approaching, I can't help thinking of the Racing Teams and their dedication to continuous process improvements. Just think of where they'd be if each team didn't strive for excellence. They would still be racing on the beach, futuristic and creative designs wouldn't exist, and new safety guidelines would have never been developed. The chase would not be as exciting as it is today.

Don't be left behind with engine failure or an inefficient team. Take the next step and look at ways to engage the fan, your customer. Bring a whole new level of business excellence to your organization.

For more assistance with BPI consulting issues, please contact Merle Laird at mlaird@bizxcel.com.

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Merle Laird is a Business Process Analyst with over 20 years experience working with manufacturing industries, service organizations, health care, social services, government and non-profit organizations. She has extensive knowledge of business process improvement and forms design in the management industry.