...Process Improvement : Prioritization and Scientific Approach What is a process? A process is no more than the steps and decisions involved in the way work is accomplished. Everything we do in our lives involves processes and lots of them. Examples: ( writing a work order, conducting a drill, performing a test ) Who owns processes? Everyone has a stake in one or more processes. Groups of individuals usually share in—and “own”—the activities which make up a process. But the one individual who is ultimately responsible and accountable for the proper working of the process is known as the “process owner.” The process owner is the immediate supervisor or leader who has control over the entire process from beginning to end. A process owner may choose to be a team leader and participate directly in the actions of a process improvement team. Or, the process owner may decide to delegate the team leadership role to another person who is knowledgeable about the process. Whatever the case, it is very important for the process owner to stay informed about the team’s actions and decisions affecting the process. What is process improvement? “Process improvement” means making things better, not just fighting fires or managing crises. It means setting aside the customary practice of blaming people for problems or failures. It is a way of looking at how we can do our work better. When we take a problem-solving approach or simply try to fix what’s broken, we may never...
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...bathroom is old and outdated or your kitchen is in need of a major overhaul, Jorgensen Home Improvements is here to help. With more than 25 years of hands-on experience in the home remodeling industry, we proudly serve the Des Moines area with comprehensive remodeling services at an affordable rate. When you work with us, you can rest assured that we will provide you with the personalized service you deserve. In addition to outstanding customer service and flexible scheduling, you can look forward to free estimates as well. Our unwavering dedication to exceeding client expectations is what drives us to continue offering a wide range of services that include, but are not limited to,...
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... Table of Contents LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 4 ABSTRACT 5 INTRODUCTION 6 Background 6 Business Process Improvement…………….….6 Types of Process Improvement………………… 7 Problem…………………………………………………………………7 Purpose…………………………………………………………………7 Scope…………………………………………………………………..7 DISCUSSION…………………………………………………………………8 Types of process improvement………………………….8 Six Sigma………………………………………………….8 Lean………………………………………………………….9 Barriers to Business process improvement…….10 Implementing Business process improvement in the public sector…………………………………………..11 Requirements………………………………………….11 Where to Implement……….……………………..12 Results……………………………………………………..13 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………13 Recommendations……………………………………………………..14 References………………………………………………………………….15 List of Illustrations Figure 1 Five Steps of Lean………………………………………………………….9 Abstract This report investigates how business process improvement can successfully enhance the State Bar as an organization by reducing waste, increasing efficiency, improving compliance and boosting staff satisfaction. Achieving the benefits of this process improvement will allow the State Bar to continue its level of service without increases in revenue. Additionally, using business process improvement will help the State Bar avoid past risks that have affected day to day operations. Technology enhancements and skills training have increased...
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...Introduction: Business process management is one way organizations can imbibe the culture and framework for production efficiency and continual quality improvement (Okaland, 2003). Since the values and success of TQM are best archived when the organization as a whole accepts, understand and adheres to the guiding practice and processes established as enablers towards achieving results, it can then be said that an organizations business process model or framework should recognize all relevant stakeholders (both internal and external) and incorporate operation intricacies of these stakeholders into the overall quality improvement plan. Turbit (2005) made emphasis that once an organization establishes its primary mission the business process model of any of its functioning units should be aimed at achieving the primary objective while fitting in with other processes. Hence the overall process modeling needs to take into account all the activities that goes into achieving the defined objectives. Challenge of first-tier contractors in quality improvement: The activities of first-tier contractor can be related to realizing set quality improvement depending on how well the activities of these contractors are integrated into the development of the QMS processes of the organization. Segmenting the activities of the organizations into clusters of processes rather than departments is a key element which enables the organization tailor its activities towards delivering customer centric...
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...Research in Information Technology The Bi-annual Publication of the ACM Special Interest Group for Information Technology Education In This Issue: The Editor’s Note Information for Authors Feature Article: Risk Forecast Using Hidden Markov Models, by Charles Pak and James Cannady, Nova Southeastern University 1 2 4 Editorial Board Editor-in-Chief Rob Friedman, New Jersey Institute of Technology email: friedman@njit.edu The Editor’s Note RIT continues its efforts to disseminate fresh ideas and new knowledge based on our scholarly pursuits in user-centered computing. Our mission is to publish peer-reviewed articles that present original research findings germane to the theories and practices of information technology. We seek papers that present substantive additions, comments and challenges to the theory and practice of programming, networking, information management, web systems and user-centered design. This issue presents an example of research continuity and progress. Charles Pak and James Cannady have expanded their previously published research into Hidden Markov Models as an approach to apprising IT security analysts, managers and administrators of changes to the nature and intensity of the threats that plague our increasingly networked world. As the authors conclude, “The research results of this study offer a valuable contribution to the field of information security. When risk can be forecasted before the actual risk materializes, stakeholders can effectively...
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...SECTION 01 I'm very happy to be here. Thank you very much for coming tonight. I promise you that time we spend together will be very valuable. How many people here would like to double their income? If I can show you how, will you give it a try? I'm going to show you today how to double your income. I'm going to show you how everyone doubles their income and it begins with changing the way you think. The starting point of doubling your income is very simple, is make a decision to double your income and set it as a goal. If you do that, everything else changes for you. Now, I have some good news. The good news is that we're living in the very best time in all of human history. South Korea has become a role model for the rest of the world. South Korea is talked about all over the world as a model for what is possible in any countries. And I'm so honor to be with you. I thank you very much for inviting me to come. SECTION 02 We have now entered into the 21st century and many things have changed. One of the most important things that have changed is that we have left the world of physical work and we've moved into the world of mental work. All your success is going to be determined by how well you think. The most effective thinkers are the ones who will control the future. And you are among the top 10% of the people in our society. How do I know that? It's because you're here. It's always the top 10% of the people who come to this program. It's always the people who have a...
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...the major players involved with a process improvement (PI) task. Group and individual responsibilities are highlighted. However, your organization may require more—or fewer—groups. Also note that one person can fulfill many of these roles simultaneously or serially, depending on the size of your organization and the complexity of your process improvement effort. Process Improvement Champions, Sponsors, and Groups Process improvement efforts generally require the following individuals and groups: PI Sponsor—The person from the organization responsible for overseeing the entire PI effort. This person generally has the power to allocate funds and personnel. This person is usually at the directorate level or above. PI Champion—This is the public relations person for the PI effort. This personmay or may not also serve as the EPG Lead. This person markets the idea, approach, and results of PI. Engineering Process Group (EPG) Lead—This person leads the group thatreviews processes. This person assigns tasks to the EPG members, monitors their efforts, and plans the daily duties of the EPG. Interpreting the CMMI. A process Improvement Approach. Second Edition. Margaret K.Kulpa, Kent A.Johnson Página 1 EPG Members—these individuals serve on the EPG as committee members. They are responsible for ensuring that process improvement documentation is written and followed. They are also responsible for generating metrics totrack the process improvement process. They lead the PATs. Process Action...
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...Problem 2 Build-Rite construction has received favorable publicity from guest appearances on a public TV home improvement program. Public TV programming decisions seem to be unpredictable, so Build –Rite cannot estimate the probability of continued benefits from it relationship with the show. Demand for home improvements next year may be either low or high. But Build-Rite must decide now whether to hire more employees, do nothing, or develop subcontracts with other home improvement contractors. Build-Rite has developed the following payoff table. Payoffs Demand For Home Improvements Alternative Low Moderate High Hire ($250,000) $100,000 $625,000 Subcontract $100,000 $150,000 $415,000 Do nothing $50,000 $80,000 $300,000 What is the decision based on each of the following criteria. Show work in making the decision for each criterion: a) Maximax b) Maximin c) Criterion of realism with coefficient of realism = 0.7 d) Equally likely e) Minimax regret Use the tables given below. a) Optimistic or Maximax Criterion Payoffs Demand For Home Improvements Alternative Low Moderate High Hire ($250,000) $100,000 $625,000 Subcontract $100,000 $150,000 $415,000 Do nothing $50,000 $80,000 $300,000 Decision: b) Pessimistic or Maximin Criterion Payoffs Demand For Home Improvements Alternative Low Moderate High Hire ($250,000) $100,000 $625,000 Subcontract $100,000 $150,000 $415...
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...A Strategic Analysis of Home Depot GM599 A Strategic Analysis of Home Depot Introduction The Home Depot (NYSE: HD) is a home improvement, construction products and services retailer operating over 2,000 big-box stores in the United States and abroad. The Home Depot was founded in 1978 by Bernie Marcus and Arthur Blank with the vision of one-stop shopping for do-it-yourself (DIY) customers, installation services for do-it-for-me (DIFM) customers and competitive products for the professional market. Their DIFM installation programs include products such as carpeting, flooring, cabinets, countertops, and water heaters. In addition, the company provides installation of various professional products like generators and HVAC systems. The Home Depot developed strategic product alliances directly with industry-leading manufacturers to deliver the most exclusive assortments to customers. Through a combination of national brands and proprietary products The Home Depot exclusively carries several major brands, including: BEHR Paint, G.E., Martha Stewart Living and Thomasville, which sets the standard for the do-it-yourselfer and the professional contractor. The Home Depot revolutionized the home improvement industry by bringing the know-how and the tools to the consumer and by saving them money. According to the founders, the customer has a bill of rights at The Home Depot, and this entitles the customer to the right assortment, quantities and price, along with trained associates...
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...Home Depot vs. Lowe’s Retail Home Improvement Financial Analysis Background Introduction The home improvement sector of the economy is large with two major players in the industry and with many smaller local and regional competitors. These two major competitors are Home Depot and Lowe’s. These two companies account for over $110 billion in total sales each year. Even though sales have gone down over the past few years due to the downturn in the economy they have not gone down nearly as much as home sales and this is due to more people deciding to do more home improvements to their own home then buying a new home. Both of these companies have been able to keep up sales and increase them year over year by improving current stores and at the same time expanding both here in the United States and overseas. Company introduction Home Depot The Home Depot also known as Home Depot is a retailer of home improvement and construction products and services. The Home Depot was founded in 1978. The Home Depot operates 2,242 stores across the United States in all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam. Sales within the United States were over $77 billion in 2010. The Home Depot also operates internationally in Canada, Mexico and China. Lowe’s Lowe's Companies, Inc. is a retail home improvement and appliance stores and also does construction. Lowe’s was founded in 1946 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Lowe’s operates 1,710 stores...
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...Lowe’s By You April 21st, 2014 University of Phoenix ECO-365 Introduction In the United States there are two major players in the home improvement industry. The biggest in The Home Depot. The other, while smaller having 502 less stores, is still a giant of the industry (Cramer, 2013). Through the recession Lowe’s stood while well The Home Depot fumbled. Lowe’s faces competition from opponents other than just The Home Depot as it expands beyond America. As Lowe’s seeks to enter the Canadian and Australian markets it will encounter more diversity than it has experiences so far. The complexities of doing business abroad and opening stores afar will become even more apparent as their international tactics change. Despite the challenges Lowe’s should expand further to become an even bigger player both nationally and globally. Global Competition’s Impact on Lowes In 2009, Lowes had 1,710 stores found throughout Canada and United States, 16 of these found outside the United States, with three stores in Mexico that opened in 2010, allowing for their exposure to bring them to a new level of sales internationally. (“Lowes Companies”, 2012) After much research it is found five competitors could impact Lowes, the #2 home improvement dealer in the world (Racine, 2012), but on different levels. The first competition is the main competition of Lowes, Home Depot, #1 in the world since 2005, (“Lowes Companies”, 2012) is expanding its sales by bringing in more Hispanics...
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...Purpose. There are many reasons to conduct chart reviews such a required by a regulatory agency, justification of billing, and research. Another frequently used purpose of a chart review is to assist in measuring quality of care. This measurement is then used to help determine if a change in process is needed to improvement patient outcomes. There are several models used in process improvement including Juran’s Universal Sequence for Quality Improvement, the Seven-step problem-solving model, FOCUS-PDCA and Six-Sigma DMAIC (Langley, Moen, Nolan, Nolan, Norman & Provost, 2009). Chart reviews can be an integral step in all of these models in gleaning data to measure the depth of the problem or if it even exists. This paper will compare the advantages and disadvantages of reviewing charts, describe the basic considerations in performing chart reviews, and describe issues that can threaten the validity of data. Lastly, this paper will look closer at the Six-Sigma DMAIC process as this is the methodology used to guide process improvement in the facility for which this information is being obtained. Background. In 1966, Donabedian stated that the quality of health care is measured by structure, process, and outcome observation. Structure measurement includes resource quality, availability and accessibility (Donabedian, 1966). Process measurement looks at the health care services that clinicians and providers deliver (Donabedian, 1966). Outcome measurement is the end result...
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...Home Depot Failed in China Name: Chuanshi Liu ID: h701789460 Course: IB 207 Background Home Depot is the largest home improvement retailer in the world. It has about 2200 stores across the United States, Canada, and Mexican. It targets three main customer groups, which are D-I-Y customers, D-I-F-M customers and professional customers. Home depot is famous for its D-I-Y products and services. In 2006, after housing market turn down in the United States, Home Depot entered into the China home improvement market through a full M&A activity. It has twelve stores in Beijing, Shanghai, and other large cities in China. Home Depot served the similar services and products to Chinese customers, which also include the D-I-Y products. However, Home Depot did not succeed this time in China. From 2006 to 2012, the top managers in China area have been changed three times. Home Depot wanted to find out the solutions to this bad situation in local market. However, the situation was worsened when the building material market turned down in 2012, 12 main stores have been closed in local market. Top managers believe that the main reason for their failure is the cultural difference. The D-I-Y services and products do not fit the local culture. Changes and effects Business Environment There are changes in business environment for Home Depot. In United States, the biggest competitor for the Home Depot is Lowe's. They have very similar products and services. Both...
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...related to what’s happening in the dynamic environment of what the business provides (be it in a services, manufacturing, technological, or financial area). (Olsen, 2007) Therefore, the strategy and direction the company take are defined by what established and unique value propositions the company has when compared to competitors; operations executed to provide different and tailored value to customers; clearly identifies any tradeoffs and clarifies what not to do; focuses on activities that fit together and reinforce each other; and is continually driven for improvement within the organization and while moving it toward its defined vision. I use The Home Depot (Home Depot here-out) for this paper as I have a part-time job with them. Strategy Home Depot’s simple and straightforward strategy is to ensure it diversifies its operations by having several businesses competing in the different product markets of home improvement. (Home Depot, 2008) The Home Depot has positioned itself within the industry based on a strategy of cost leadership. This operating strategy allows the company to earn above-average profitability by dictating prices from suppliers lowering input costs and minimizing distribution transactions eliminating the “middleman.” Home Depot developed a tight cost control system through quality assurance programs which monitor vendor compliance contained by the company’s requirements. Home Depot must position itself for future business by generating distinctive...
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...more money than if they hired a professional worker. Undoubtedly, the Lowe’s company target do-it-yourself customers who are on a fixed budget because they aim to have the lowest prices. The Lowe’s Bathroom tile ad’s main technique is using an everyday-type person to appeal to a large audience. Lowe's use of an unskilled character in an everyday situation makes the ad relatable to people because most people are not professionals, and it effectively reaches everyday homeowners. Their goal is to provide the best equipment with low prices so that customers can rely on their products for small or big home improvements. When people want to redesign or fix their homes, they either stop by at the Lowe’s store or The Home Depot store for supplies and equipment. The Home Depot Company has always been a competition for Lowe’s Company ever since they gained popularity in the home improvement hardware. Even though both stores sell almost the same things, the two seem to target very different audiences. The Home Depot stores “appeal to professional customers such as contractors and tradesmen” while the Lowe’s store “appeals to a larger do-it-yourself audience”. Both stores have distinct goals, which is to attract a certain audience to make more purchases. From watching the Lowe’s bathroom tile ad, they definitely are promoting a do-it-yourself idea, since the man in the video was working on his own by just using the equipment he bought from Lowe’s. Lowe’s created a short video ad where...
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