Week1

Topic 1

To survive in a highly competitive environment, a
business organization must adapt and change (evolve). Successful
organizations seek continuous improvement in how they create and deliver
products and services. This can include changing existing processes or
inventing new processes. Such process changes are made utilizing a
myriad of different methodologies including (but not limited to) CIMM, TQM, Six
Sigma, Balanced Scorecard and ERP.

For this Discussion you will be evaluating the organization
where you currently work (or previously worked) and address the following
questions:

1. Which, if any, quality methodology does
your organization use in evaluating its processes (CMM, TQM, Six Sigma,
Balanced Scorecard, ERP, etc.)? If one is not used, explain why you believe
your organization does not utilize a quality methodology.

2. Isolate and detail one process in your
organization that was created, changed, or adjusted using the methodology
identified in #1. If no quality methodology is used in your organization,
then identify one process and explain how that process could be helped or
improved by any of the quality methodologies.

3. Based on the process you identified, which type
of process diagram from Chapter 9 would be most applicable to the process
discussed in question # 2 and was such a diagram utilized by your organization?
week2

Topic 1

A common process methodology is the BPTrends
approach discussed in the reading this week. Process creation, change, or
revision can come from the top-down or from the bottom-up within an
organization. With this in mind review the BPTrends Enterprise Methodology
(Figure 3.2) and answer the following questions:

1. Why do you believe the ongoing strategy
process (see figure 3.2) is a continuous loop? Make sure you provide
information to support your answer.

2. Of the different process tools (see
figure 3.2) which do you believe is the most difficult for the organization to
control and why?Week3

Topic 1

Process design and implementation is outcome
driven. To achieve desired outcomes, successful process design results
from an understanding of the task(s), which will complete or support the
task(s), as well as any restrictions (legal, physical, or other) to the process
design. But successful design implementation depends on the use of metrics to
manage and measure the process(es). With this in mind address the following
questions:

1. Select one task that you are currently or were
previously responsible for performing. Isolate the type of metric
measurement used to evaluate the task process to determine if the process was
being followed correctly.

2. Address how frequently the process was evaluated
and whether the feedback provided contributed toward or detracts from
successful outcome(s) for that process. If no performance measurement is used,
identify a set of measurements to evaluate the task and discuss how and
why that measurement would ensure successful task completion.
Week4

Topic 1

Process creation, revision, and implementation are
all predicated on the ability of the organization and its employees and vendors
to accept change. The organization may have the will to change yet find its
employees are reluctant and resistant to change.

For this Discussion consider this change resistance
in addressing the following:

1. Evaluate the role of an Executive Level
BPM Group. Who would be members of that group and how is this group responsible
for reducing resistance to change?

2. Deduce at least one method by which the
organization can reduce change resistance?

3. Does the use of Six Sigma, ISO9000
(ISO9001), or the Balanced Scorecard within an organization contribute toward
or reduce resistance to process change? If so, how? If not, why not?
Week5

Topic 1

In your studies up to this point in the course it
may appear as if the actual design of processes is cumbersome and time
consuming. This need not be the case as there are many tools available in
developing any process change management plan.

To address the questions below assume you have been
chosen to develop and direct a Change Management Plan for your business (an
immature organization).

1. Conduct research using the Internet and
identify the type of software or management tools that you would utilize
to help with each of the major steps in developing the plan. Summarize
the software/suite selected and identify its key capabilities, advantages and
disadvantages.

2. As the leader of the change project in an immature organization
what level of direct involvement should you have in creation of the Change
Management Plan? Should you be the primary author or should you delegate
most of the responsibilities?

Week6

Topic 1

An important facet of process implementation is the
ability for management to review and evaluate process design.

To successfully answer the discussion in this unit
you will need to read the Ergonomics Case Study (Chapter 14) and focus on the
To-Be-Process Plan described in the To-Be-Process Diagram.”

Your Discussion response should address:

1. What was your overall first impression of
the To-Be-Process plan (be thorough in your explanation).

2. Identify at least two critical issues
within the To-Be-Process plan that could lead to implementation success and failure.

3. Suggest at least one improvement to the
plan.

Week1Topic 1To survive in a highly competitive environment, a
business organization must adapt and change (evolve). Successful
organizations seek continuous improvement in how they create and deliver
products and services. This can include changing existing processes or
inventing new processes. Such process changes are made utilizing a
myriad of different methodologies including (but not limited to) CIMM, TQM, Six
Sigma, Balanced Scorecard and ERP.

For this Discussion you will be evaluating the organization
where you currently work (or previously worked) and address the following
questions:

1. Which, if any, quality methodology does
your organization use in evaluating its processes (CMM, TQM, Six Sigma,
Balanced Scorecard, ERP, etc.)? If one is not used, explain why you believe
your organization does not utilize a quality methodology.

2. Isolate and detail one process in your
organization that was created, changed, or adjusted using the methodology
identified in #1. If no quality methodology is used in your organization,
then identify one process and explain how that process could be helped or
improved by any of the quality methodologies.

3. Based on the process you identified, which type
of process diagram from Chapter 9 would be most applicable to the process
discussed in question # 2 and was such a diagram utilized by your organization?week2Topic 1

A common process methodology is the BPTrends
approach discussed in the reading this week. Process creation, change, or
revision can come from the top-down or from the bottom-up within an
organization. With this in mind review the BPTrends Enterprise Methodology
(Figure 3.2) and answer the following questions:

1. Why do you believe the ongoing strategy
process (see figure 3.2) is a continuous loop? Make sure you provide
information to support your answer.

2. Of the different process tools (see
figure 3.2) which do you believe is the most difficult for the organization to
control and why?Week3Topic 1

Process design and implementation is outcome
driven. To achieve desired outcomes, successful process design results
from an understanding of the task(s), which will complete or support the
task(s), as well as any restrictions (legal, physical, or other) to the process
design. But successful design implementation depends on the use of metrics to
manage and measure the process(es). With this in mind address the following
questions:

1. Select one task that you are currently or were
previously responsible for performing. Isolate the type of metric
measurement used to evaluate the task process to determine if the process was
being followed correctly.

2. Address how frequently the process was evaluated
and whether the feedback provided contributed toward or detracts from
successful outcome(s) for that process. If no performance measurement is used,
identify a set of measurements to evaluate the task and discuss how and
why that measurement would ensure successful task completion.Week4Topic 1

Process creation, revision, and implementation are
all predicated on the ability of the organization and its employees and vendors
to accept change. The organization may have the will to change yet find its
employees are reluctant and resistant to change.

For this Discussion consider this change resistance
in addressing the following:

1. Evaluate the role of an Executive Level
BPM Group. Who would be members of that group and how is this group responsible
for reducing resistance to change?

2. Deduce at least one method by which the
organization can reduce change resistance?

3. Does the use of Six Sigma, ISO9000
(ISO9001), or the Balanced Scorecard within an organization contribute toward
or reduce resistance to process change? If so, how? If not, why not?Week5Topic 1

In your studies up to this point in the course it
may appear as if the actual design of processes is cumbersome and time
consuming. This need not be the case as there are many tools available in
developing any process change management plan.

To address the questions below assume you have been
chosen to develop and direct a Change Management Plan for your business (an
immature organization).

1. Conduct research using the Internet and
identify the type of software or management tools that you would utilize
to help with each of the major steps in developing the plan. Summarize
the software/suite selected and identify its key capabilities, advantages and
disadvantages.

2. As the leader of the change project in an immature organization
what level of direct involvement should you have in creation of the Change
Management Plan? Should you be the primary author or should you delegate
most of the responsibilities?

Week6Topic 1

An important facet of process implementation is the
ability for management to review and evaluate process design.

To successfully answer the discussion in this unit
you will need to read the Ergonomics Case Study (Chapter 14) and focus on the
To-Be-Process Plan described in the To-Be-Process Diagram.”

Your Discussion response should address:

1. What was your overall first impression of
the To-Be-Process plan (be thorough in your explanation).

2. Identify at least two critical issues
within the To-Be-Process plan that could lead to implementation success and failure.

3. Suggest at least one improvement to the
plan.