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A process is a step or sequence of steps that uses inputs and produces a product or service as an output. A thorough understanding of process inputs and outputs and their relationships is a key step in process improvement.
SIPOC is another useful in the study of processes. The acronym stands for the key elements of a process.
Suppliers –The internal and external providers of resources, materials knowledge, and services that the process requires
Inputs – The elements outside the process boundaries that feed the process so that it can function and produce outputs.
Process – The steps or sequence of steps that is being improved
Outputs – The measurable or assessable en products or services produced by the process.
Customers- people who receive the final products and the outputs of each process step.
Process flow metrics
The following metrics may be used to evaluate flow in the process
· Work in Progress(WIP) is the material that has been input to the process but that has not reached the output stage.
· Work in Queue (WIQ) is the material waiting to be processed by some step in the process and is one of the component of WIP. It is important to segment the WIQ by step to help identify process bottlenecks or constraints.
· Touch time is the time that material is actually being processed by one of the steps , again it may be useful to segment the touch time by step so that process with large touch times may be readily identified for improvement purposes.
· Takt Time is computed as follows Takt time= Time Available/ Number of Units to be Processed.
· Cycle time is the average time for a particular step to complete one item
Process Analysis tools
· Analyze Processes by developing and using value stream maps , heat maps , Process maps , flowcharts, procedures, work instructions, diagrams and circle diagram.
· A key step in understanding processes is the development of process maps and flow charts.The format of these document will very with the situation, but in general flowcharts show each step in a process, decision points, inputs and outputs.
· Process maps and flowcharts enable a broaer perspective of potential problems and opportunities for process improvement.
For Comments and queries the Author Suresh V. Menon can be Contacted at testconsultants@outlook.com who has done business process consulting for conglomerates.
