QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ Relationship between business processes and supply chain. Answer:
>>Made up of a series of interconnected and interdependent processes
>>Productivity-Managing Inputs and Outputs at a smaller scale
◉ Three requirements of a good process. Answer: good intentions,
reproducible results, measurable and manageable
◉ Common reasons for bad processes. Answer: Never was good, used to
be good, limitations
◉ Cow Path Theory. Answer: Demonstrates bad process;
>>A story told by consultants to other consultants and their clients to
explain how their processes got so bad
>>A story about a cow who got a job to go drink water
>>Shows a lack of communication and ambiguity in bad processes
>>EXAMPLE: Computer Silicon Wafers - Baskets
,◉ Three benefits of excellent business process. Answer: Manage from a
distance, large customer base, key to franchising
◉ Difference between block diagram and business process flow chart.
Answer: >>Shows step by step process without determent and only with
one shape. Nothing in layout allows anything to change, important
because it can show how many things can go wrong at previous steps
that eventually hurts the production.
>>Has different shapes that mean different things. Allows process to be
customized depending on specific questions from client/order.
◉ scope. Answer: Define process requirements and boundaries
◉ Scope Inflation. Answer: Work goes beyond the minimum required to
get the job done. Negative results
◉ Swim Lane Flowchart. Answer: A(n) ________ shows processing
steps grouped according to which company department is responsible for
performing them.
◉ Value of flowcharts for the organization. Answer: Quality control tool
Information technology: capture and store information
, Resource management (requirements): employees and managers (skills,
training), materials and capital equipment, money
Operational considerations: testing potential failure points in process,
waiting line management
Departmental concerns: marketing, finance, and accounting and IT
◉ Value of Process improvement and Project Management on Careers -
In-class examples. Answer: >>Vital to corporate careers, no matter the
major
>>Resume Builder
>>Corporate careers - Politics, Leverage, Capital
Projects are vital to move forward
◉ Attributes of a good consultant. Answer: 1.Data collection, data
analysis
2.Be creative
3.Have a long-term vision: consider human nature
4.Understand group/ team dynamics for CLIENTS and your TEAMS
5.Understand business imperatives: can you explain change and the
benefits of change
◉ Common consulting errors. Answer: At Beginning