From the course: Process Model Analysis
Build a hierarchy of processes for simplification
From the course: Process Model Analysis
Build a hierarchy of processes for simplification
- [Instructor] Before you start working with multiple process maps that have images all over the place, try thinking in simple terms. Let's take the example process model from the course handouts. Now, this is great. Perhaps you created this from discussion, or it was given to you, but we have different levels here at the same time that can be confusing, like there are lots of details in the first section, but then only one step in the middle. What can help is to start high-level and ask, what are the basic steps? So, like for this process, we might make this, Raw materials procurement, Manufacture, Inventory management processes, and Distribution. Now we have the simple steps of the process, and while this view doesn't really give you massive insights on where or how to improve the supply chain process, it does start helping us scope the conversation, 'cause now we will look at the next level. Here's where you take one of these main process steps and simply ask what are the basic steps for this piece of the process? Our Raw materials procurement might be as simple as Procure parts for Canada manufacturer, Procure parts for China manufacturer, Procure parts for Japan manufacturer, and Procure parts for US manufacturer. Now you can do the same with each of the other main steps, like Manufacture, Inventory management processes, and Distribution, but in our discussion we were focused on the procurement, so now they want to focus on the procurement process for the US-manufactured parts. So, you'd break down Procure parts for US manufacturer into Procure raw materials from China step, Procure raw materials from US step, and the manufacture US parts step. What you are doing is making it very easy to isolate one part of the overall process by helping you get down to the details, without being confused by other steps and processes happening, yet what is great is that you keep the overall process in mind, 'cause you can always step back and see where you are in the overall process. Now, you can always keep going deeper. There's no limit on the detail level. Simply keep going until you have the clarity you need to have that informed discussion. By building out a great hierarchal view of your processes, you can really get down and analyze the right details.
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