Page 353 - kf fyi for your improvement license eng 3-4-15

that’s not working. Do something different next time. Think about multiple ways to get the same
outcome. To increase learning, shorten the action phases of process improvement efforts and insert
feedback loops—aiming to make them as immediate as possible after any action. The more frequent
the cycles, the more opportunities to learn.

Want to learn more? Take a deep dive…

Dumbill, E. (2014, February 5). The experimental enterprise. Forbes.
Morgan, J. (2013, August 27). The 5 must-have qualities of the modern employee. Forbes.
Pavey, S. (n.d.). Improving business processes: Streamlining tasks to improve efficiency. Mind
Tools.
Pozen, R. C. (2013, January 3). Embrace change, but still stand for something. Harvard Business
Review Blog Network.

Job assignments
• Develop a process to improve the efficiency of services delivered to internal or external customers of
your group or function. Monitor it. Learn from it. Further improve it.
• Create and present a process time line for a change initiative incorporating goals, deadlines,
resources, and measurement metrics.
• Learn as much as you can about Lean methodology and outline how it could be used to improve your
organization’s product delivery processes. Apply it to an area you are working on.
• Shadow the person in your organization responsible for quality. Deliver a presentation on quality
processes used in your organization.
• Monitor and follow a new product or service through the entire idea, design, test market, and launch
cycle.

Take time to reflect…

If you’d rather tolerate a bad process than spend time getting it fixed…
…then reflect on the problems it’s caused you over the last six months. The holdups. The wasted
effort. The rework. The frustration. The missed opportunities. Invest time now; be glad you did
later.

If keeping everything running smoothly is a challenge for you…
…then recognize that you may have to prioritize what you focus on. Channel your energy where
the benefit of the improvement is worth the cost of the effort.

If you see process as the critical aspect of any project…

…then watch that the process doesn’t dominate the outcome. Remember, processes are the
means to an end. Strive to improve, but keep your focus on the final result.

© Korn Ferry 2014-2015. All rights reserved. WWW.KORNFERRY.COM

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