Monthly Archive for January, 2011
Going green with process mapping
Going Green can be simple. Just communicating how to save energy can simply linking all those best practices into a single set of processes. The following maps were created by building best practices and tips from several utilities and environmental organizations. Click on this image below to see your organization can benefit from communicating your [...]
Process Mapping-The alternative to the decision diamond
One alternative to using the decision diamond symbol to represent decisions is to use the Task shape itself. The example below shows the benefits of using the Task shape for the decision point in the the process. These are: The Task Link (outcome) is crystal clear All roles and supporting information about the decision are [...]
The decision diamond? Pros and Cons
Most of us have seen a process map that contains a decision point. In fact that’s one of the main reasons to draw a map in the first place, otherwise an ordered list will do the trick for most instructions. The decision diamond At some point the development of process maps the decision diamond was [...]
Project Management-Surefire Practice #10
# 10 Chose team members and partners carefully One big factor affecting any projects success or failure is the quality and motivation of those on the team. Choosing your team wisely will reduce risks in the project at a stroke. Why The team and how they work together makes the difference between successful completion and [...]
Project Management-Surefire rule #9
#9 Expect and embrace change Change is going to be part of any project; the amount of change will be the variable. Given that is the case we might as well embrace it from the beginning. Why The project that does not have some change included from the beginning is extremely unusual. Unless a repetitive [...]
Project Management-Surefire Practice #8
Communicate, communicate, communicate There is no such thing as too much communication on a project. Yes, it’s time consuming, might not appear to produce immediate results, but trust me this is the big one. Why Many problems in project management can be laid at the door of poor communication. For whatever reason, many project managers [...]
Project Management-Surefire Practice #5
#5 Watch the budget! Watched pots may never boil, but unwatched budgets do. Keeping a keen eye on your budget will save surprises throughout any successful project. Why Once costs are out of control it will become more and more difficult to deliver outcomes from the project with any success factor. Proactive monitoring of costs [...]
Project Management-Surefire Practice #4
#4 Watch the clock “Time keeps on ticking, ticking, ticking …..right into the future”. Never were truer words spoken about life and project management. That clock just keeps on running and it’s your job to make sure it does not run out of sand before the project is done. Why Time management is one of [...]
Project Management-Surefire Practice #3
Number 3: Make a Plan and then follow through Sometimes the simplest things are the ones we miss, and when we look at some of the problems that arise during a complex project, it is easy to waver from the initial plan and framework in place. Why The project management framework in this book is [...]
Surefire practices for Project Management-Number 2
#2 Lookout for trouble – employ proactive management Assumption is known as the mother of all foul-ups and nowhere is that more true in managing a project. Proactive management of any project will save your project time and time again. Why Whatever the reason, taking your eye off the ball during a project will always [...]
Standardizing role lists
It’s a great idea to keep all your roles up to date and standardized. Failure to do so will cause confusion, duplication and may even assign the role to the wrong staff member. Industry standard lists are often available from associations, and in larger operations, the HR department will likely be able to provide some [...]
Documenting sales cycles-How to improve your business operations
Improving sales processes One of the most popular uses of process mapping software is the communication of sales cycles. Ensuring a common and consistent sales and forecasting process is an essential ingredient to a successful business. I the example below, some best practices have been provided by Salesforce.com and Harvard Computing Group to illustrate how [...]
Surefire practices for Project Management–Number 1
Set achievable goals and objectives There is no way that any project will have the expected outcomes unless goals and objectives have been set and agreed. Sure there will always be the accidental discovery or success, such as Post It Notes or penicillin, but if you want to ensure success then set goals and objectives. [...]
Using process maps to communicate emergency procedures
Most organizations have to have a plan to communicate emergency procedures. Sometimes this is done by HR on a regular basis, in other cases facilities management or other dedicated groups do the work. This information needs to be kept current and process maps are a great way of communicating the most up to date versions. [...]
Using process maps as a strategic communication tool
Every industry has it’s own set of standards they follow at a given time. Best Practices are also common from one sector to another. One such example is eTOM or TM Forum in the telecommunications industry. By using a set of approved standards effective communication of how business can be organized, operated and managed is [...]
Asking the right questions-Process Discovery
If you are an internal Business Analyst or consultant asking the right questions in a Discovery project is a critical skill. While it seems that a 10 or 20 year veteran seemingly gets those answers by some magical power, it’s really not that complicated. The experienced Business Analyst or Project Manager has been there many [...]
Maintaining task and process information
Where to maintain task and process information is a question with many answers. Typically we use what we have on our desktop or laptop to create and edit the data. For example, MS Word, Excel, Visio, PowerPoint, you name it. Then we store the information on a company server, web site or intranet. Again many [...]
Projects and processes … what’s the difference?
We get the question a lot, what’s the difference between a project plan and a process plan? It’s an interesting one, because many view these as completely different, but they are not. Let me explain why. Every project is comprised of one or more processes, so a project is just a set of processes linked [...]
Process Improvement-Before and After (Checking for efficiency)
The before view Sometimes it’s hard to see the before and after changes in a process. Particularly, when you are looking for key points in automation. The following example shows the before “picture” of International bank transfer process. In this case from a local US bank in Massachusetts. It is pretty obvious from looking at [...]
Replacing and complimenting instructional manuals with Process Maps
It is possible to complement and even replace lengthy instructional manuals with simple to use process maps. This example focuses on an engine rebuild and replaces a 100 plus page manual with a 14 page linked process map. Details The engine rebuild process map was created to show how Process Maps can be used as [...]
Documenting and Managing Processes-Best practice summary
Simplified Process Mapping-Documenting the processes Part I Document Processes (Page 1 of 2) The Simplified Process Mapping RoadMap provides a framework for all aspects of documenting and improving processes. By documenting these processes tremendous savings can be made in time and energy. Click on image to download process flow. When business justification is not required [...]
Simplified Process Mapping RoadMap-Improving Processes Part 2 of 2
Courtesy Harvard Computing Group, Inc. Once the workshop is complete, the Project Manager should conduct a thorough review and if needed review the workshop results. Items should include: Verification of Goals, Objectives and KPIs were met Clearly document the impact of budget changes from the workshop In the event that minor changes are required, [...]
Quality Checking your process maps
Chances are, unless you have been living in the past, that your process maps have been created with an electronic drawing tool. That being the case, you may want to take advantage of features that will help you check quality more easily. TaskMap 4 Professional has some excellent automated features for quality checking of your [...]
Simplified Process Mapping-Improving Processes Part 1 of 2
More details here courtesy Harvard Computing Group When your documented processes have been completely analyzed it is time to move onto the process improvement process so that you can take advantage of the items discovered during process analysis. The first step in initiating a process improvement project is to appoint a process improvement team. This [...]
Simplified Process Mapping-Analysis process
When an existing "as is" process needs analyzing or an existing managed process requires analysis it enters the "Analyze Processes" process. The Project Manager is responsible for conducting a validation review of the process maps. During this review the Project Manager ensures that the maps are complete, confirms that the data is accurate, gains a [...]
Simplified Process Mapping-Managing Processes
The management of processes is a process in itself. The first step for the Project Manager, Business Analysts and the Subject Matter Experts is to develop the roll-out plan for the new processes, taking all the input materials from the previous stages. Once the plan is complete, complete the communication and training plan using: Newly [...]
Simplified Process Mapping- Documenting the process Part II
Document Processes (Page 2 of 2) The Simplified Process Mapping RoadMap provides a framework for all aspects of documenting and improving processes. By documenting these processes tremendous savings can be made in time and energy. This section covers documenting existing processes and follows yesterdays post here. Click on the image for more details. Once [...]
Simplified Process Mapping-Documenting the processes Part I
Document Processes (Page 1 of 2) The Simplified Process Mapping RoadMap provides a framework for all aspects of documenting and improving processes. By documenting these processes tremendous savings can be made in time and energy. Click on image to download process flow. When business justification is not required or when the business requirements complete the [...]
Process Mapping-Communication doesn’t have to be boring
Teaching kids to learn to ski. Courtesy Mike Cunningham and Harvard Computing Group As the above example shows, creating process maps does not have to be boring. By adding the following elements your maps can be more interesting, informative and in this case fun. If you click on the image above you will see [...]
