Operations Management: Processes and Supply Chains, 12th Edition

Strategies for Change

The four major process decisions represent broad, strategic issues and define the nature of the processes a firm needs to compete effectively. However, decisions that are made must be translated into actual process designs or redesigns. There are two different but complementary philosophies for process design and change: (1) process reengineering and (2) process improvement. Process analysis, supported by the tools described later, is needed regardless of whether reengineering or process improvement is attempted. An individual or a whole team examines the process and looks for ways to streamline tasks, eliminate whole processes entirely, cut expensive materials or services, improve the environment, or make jobs safer. By ...