Program Description

Using Process Analysis to Define and Solve Business Challenges

An organization is a collection of processes. These processes produce value, serve customers, and generate income. While managing processes leads to success, most organizations are not set up to manage them. Instead, they manage tasks. Most companies are organized around functions (the manufacturing department, the x-ray department, the sales department, the customer service department). As a result, employees tend to focus on “local” concerns instead of the “global” needs of customers. Sub-processes evolve within departments without consideration for other functional areas. Layers of communication and management are created to ensure desired outcomes, adding to costs and lengthening response times. Inefficiency and waste become part of the system, robbing the organization of profits, productivity, and competitive advantage. But, there is a way out.

Process mapping is a simple yet powerful method of looking beyond functional activities and rediscovering an organization’s core processes. Process maps enable individuals to peel away the complexity of their organizational structure (and internal politics) in order to focus on vital business processes.

Process Mapping & Systems Thinking: Using Process Analysis to Define and Solve Business Challenges is part of the Business Process Management Certificate Series, and it can be taken as a stand-alone program or as part of the BPM series.

Outline

I. An Introduction To Systems Thinking

• The Evolution of Process Management
• Process Management Cycle: Seven Stages
• Traditional Management
• Systems Thinking
• Class Exercise: Select a Process to Analyze
• The System Model
• Creating a System Map
• Case Study Assignment

II. The Tools: How to Construct and Analysis Process Flow Charts

• Process and Workflow Diagrams
• Top-Down Flow Chart
• Block Diagram
• Activity Chart
• Work Flow Diagram
• Cross-Functional Flow Chart
• BPMN
• When to Use Each Chart
• Class Exercise: Bubble Process
• Analyzing Process Flowcharts
• Class Exercise: Putting It All Together
• Process Measures
• Charting Tips

III. Implementation Guide: Getting Your Bang for the Buck

• Implementing Change
• Organizational Change
• Creating & Sustaining Organizational Change
• Managing Resistance to Change
• Implementation Strategy

Key Learning Objectives

In this program participants will learn how to:

• Identify and understand an organization’s true core processes
• Recognize and remove activities that do not add value
• Eliminate system flaws that result in poor quality
• Document processes for knowledge management or BPM initiatives
• View customer/supplier relationships and their impact
• Engage business leaders, users and customers in process change efforts
• Dramatically improve efficiency and customer satisfaction

Faculty and Speakers

Additional Information

CONTACT 

Have a question? Contact us anytime at edp@broad.msu.edu or 517-353-8711.

Applies Towards the Following Series

• Business Process Management Certificate Series : Required