Kaplan GB560 all discussions

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.