It simply amazes me how many companies are challenged in getting the most out of their business improvement (BI) initiatives. It has been suggested to me that as many as 75 percent of companies struggle to really get BI to work in their company over the long-term.

Something is dramatically wrong for companies to struggle with improvement, when every leader knows that improvement and progressive change is an absolute must for survival in a very competitive world. Think about it, why do we struggle with an idea that we all know is vital to the success of our company and our own success?

There are a number of ways to change this situation, one associated with the operating system that supports and drives improvement in a company. My experience is this - many companies fall into the trap of doing training, developing the skills of improvement practitioners, sheep dipping people into the toolkit of Lean and Six Sigma and allowing training to become the BI team’s core role.

Big mistake!

During my research for writing my most recent Lean Six Sigma book (Process Alchemy 2nd Edition - 2007) I observed that companies genuinely successful with their BI initiatives, all addressed similar components in what I would refer to as a BI Operating System. Where they did differ was at the tool and detailed process level.

I define an Operating System as this:

‘A management control framework that comprises a system of simple processes scheduled to undertaken at pre-determined intervals.’

What do successful companies include in a BI Operating System?

Let me offer these 10 operating system elements:

1. ★Improvement Project Identification and Selection - the process for creating your improvement project pipeline.
   

2. ★Project Review - designed to maintain project momentum and ensure that projects bring value to the organisation.
   

3. ★Project Closure - formally closing and handing processes from project team leader back to process owner.
   

4. ★Benefits Capturing - making sure that claimed benefits are real and can legitimately be reported against the bottom line.
   

5. ★Knowledge Sharing - maximising learning about content and improvement processes across the organisation.
   

6. ★Selection and Development of Project Leaders - making sure the right people are chosen to develop as future leaders and they are given the right skill set.
   

7. ★Competency Certification - ensuring competency in the skills provided, not just course attendance.
   

8. ★Project Leader Performance Management - managing the performance of team leaders who may be appointed full time.
   

9. ★BI Strategy Performance Management - tracking and reporting the overall performance of the BI initiative itself.
   

10. ★BI Strategy Review and Improvement - making sure the initiative continues to get better and adapt to changing circumstances.
    

If you would like to know more about BI Operating Systems, refer to Chapter 6 of Process Alchemy 2nd Edition.

If you don’t have a copy, visit the bookstore on our web site HERE.

If you are committed to success with BI and would like us to evaluate your operating system, simply give us a call (61-7-3279 3070) or send me an email (home@soarent.com.au) to make arrangements.

Good fortune in your improvement work.

George Lee Sye