Brian Hunt's Process Improvement Blog

Change Readiness Assessment Tool

2013-05-23T05:22:50Z

Online tool from Edward Burns at http://burnschandler.com/6.html

This is based on the book Leading Change by John P Kotter

Example of a Value Stream Map

2012-08-06T18:25:52Z

VSMs are a powerful way to communicate complex process information in a simple way.

However, most of the time when I'm working on reducing in process waste, I will map the customer value chain from left to right using self adhesive notes with one actiivity written on one note. Once the sequence of events has been mapped and agreed, the mapping team will agree which of those activities add value and place these above a horizontal line. The non value adding activities are placed below that line. This is a quick, visual way to identify and remove waste, especially in processes which have a high number of manual activities.

An example of a VSM is below. The yellow bursts are Kiazen Bursts which identify how the process or workflow could be improved. I created that map using Visio 2007

Download xxx_case_study.pdf

Example of a VSM

2012-08-05T08:00:32Z

VSMs are a powerful way to communicate complex process information in a simple way.

However, most of the time when I'm working on reducing in process waste, I will map the customer value chain from left to right using self adhesive notes with one activity written on one note. Once the sequence of events has been mapped and agreed, the mapping team will agree which of those activities add value and place these above a horizontal line. The non value adding activities are placed below that line. This is a quick, visual way to identify and remove waste, especially in processes which have a high number of manual activities.

An example of a VSM is below. The yellow bursts are Kiazen Bursts which identify how the process or workflow could be improved. I created that map using Visio 2007

Download xxx_case_study.pdf

Field code update in Word 2007

2012-06-11T14:10:34Z

http://msgroups.net/microsoft.public.word.docmanagement/field-codes-in-header-not/66086

From the site above:

F9 can only be used to update fields in the selection (and Ctrl+A only select the main body of the document). But note that fields in the header should update if you switch to Print Preview and then back to your favorite view (you can use Ctrl+F2 as a toggle). -- Stefan Blom Microsoft Word MVP

How to Batch replace hyperlinks in Microsoft Office Word

2012-06-11T13:23:31Z

To change the hyperlink path in a word document, I tried using Find and Replace when in field code mode. The field codes updated but the links continued to point to the old address. Finally, after two hours I found the page below:

http://www.fanhow.com/knowhow:Batch_replace_hyperlinks_in_Microsoft_Office_Word_75605456

After editing the field codes you must select all content and then refresh the document using the F9 key to update the hyperlinks. However, this only works on Word 2003.

Showing field codes in Word 2007

2012-05-24T10:58:58Z

When Microsoft 'upgraded' Word 2003 to 2007, they moved the option to view field codes from the tools menu (Tools/Options/View/Field Codes) but don't tell you where to find it in Word 2007.

This is where to find it now:

1. Click on the mulitcoloured Office button on the top left hand of the screen
2. Select the 'Word Options' button at the bottom of the dialogue box
3. Click the 'Advanced' button and scroll down to 'Show Document Content'
4. Click on 'Show field codes instead of thier values'

---

Woody Guthrie: 'Any fool can make something complicated. It takes a genius to make it simple'

ISO offers free-of-charge ISO 9001:2000 'auditing kit'

2012-05-15T15:34:05Z

Just seen on the Elsmar Cove website:

ISO offers free-of-charge ISO 9001:2000 'auditing kit'

Twenty guidance modules on specific aspects of auditing ISO 9001:2000 quality management systems (QMS) are available free of charge from ISO and another three are being developed.

http://isotc.iso.org/livelink/liveli...owse&sort=name

ISO9001 Humour from www.oxebridge.com

2012-05-09T13:05:37Z

Very difficult to get any humour from ISO9001 but this is a good attempt

Download Eyesore90002008.pdf

ISO9001 presentation for Company XXXX

2012-05-06T10:46:13Z

Download XXXXQMS.ppt

creating tables in joomla

2011-12-30T11:16:04Z

http://www.packtpub.com/article/creating-accessible-tables-in-joomla

Table formatting issue in Joomla 1.7

2011-12-30T10:23:22Z

I've been going round in circles trying to sort this out. I've created table with the spacing and row heights I want. This is a trivial task on an html site, but my Joomla 1.7 site changes these and makes the page look a mess

Hopefully this is answer:

http://forum.joomla.org/viewtopic.php?t=366469

A useful checklist for the BA taking over, or joining a project

2011-07-20T19:20:26Z

24 things to find out when taking over a project (BA checklist)

A good checklist to ensure that you have the right information to guide and maintain your BA project

mac snow leopard and how to easily print list of all files in a folder

2011-03-28T16:11:40Z

This is quick and simple. First you need to download and install textwrangler for mac. It's free :)

Open finder and open the folder you want to copy. Select all and then copy

Open TextWrangler (other editors may work but TextEdit doesn't). Then just paste.

Simples!

ABPMP Recruitment Drive

2011-02-26T08:10:30Z

If you are interested in being part of a UK ABPMP chapter, please contact me via the link here

Download ABPMP_Chapter_Growth_Campaign_.pdf

Taiichi Ohno 'Stand in the circle' template

2010-11-30T07:56:31Z

One of 101 Kaizen Templates, this template is for Taiichi Ohno's Stand in The Circle observation method for identifying process waste.

ABPMP UK Chapter - who is interested in forming one?

2010-10-14T12:44:00Z

As I can't find any details of a UK Chapter, of the Association of Business Process Management Professionals, the logical step is to form one. If any UK based members are interested, (or are already forming one) the please contact me via linkedin or the weblink below: http://tiny.cc/ql3350jz3s

Thanks

Brian Hunt CBAP

Another useful web based tool: Knowledge Genes

2010-08-28T21:12:11Z

Knowledge Genes looks like another great knowledge management and communication tool. You can have a free trial for 30 days, then it costs $3 USD a month

Great free tool for online mindmapping

2010-08-27T22:03:00Z

I use a variety of mind mapping tools. I use MindNode Pro on my MacBook and MindJet Mind Manager 8 on my PC. On both machines I use FreeMind and, for me, that free tool is the best of them all. What I have missed is the opportunity to do collaborative mind mapping with a clean and simple interface. X-Mind is available for Mac, PC and Linux and has free and paid ($49 USD p.a) versions. Click here to go to their website.

There's also a good review of mind mapping tools and apps here

Brian

All you need to know (probably) to create MS Excel charts

2010-07-21T05:50:54Z

Peltier Technical Services have a comprehensive set of Excel charts and tutorials here This is a free resource that could save you a lot of time.

Thanks Peltier!

Useful blog on business process management software

2010-07-14T11:10:42Z

Here This blog contains links to a number of free process modelling tools together with short, well written reviews

Creative thinking techniques

2010-07-07T17:47:28Z

There's no point in analysing a process if you can't then identify better ways of making that process work. That's where creative thinking comes in. The techniques here are from the Open University MBA module Creativity, Innovation & Change B822 which I passed a few years ago. Try a few at random - among my favourites are 5 Whys, SCAMPER and Bunches of Bananas

online process diagramming

2010-07-05T19:23:18Z

This looks good: Gliffy online diagram software Diagrams and maps are a great way to communicate but Visio is expensive. Now you can create these graphics for free.

Where following rules is stupid

2010-06-27T19:23:49Z

This link gives a fine example of where following rules is stupid! But how many people stand to lose their jobs if they don't do what managers say?

Use case tutorial

2010-06-27T06:54:26Z

Here's a free, web based tutorial on use cases It's provided by Crag Systems

Online facilitation

2010-06-19T19:37:26Z

I'm looking at online facilitation again with thoughts of providing some online tutoring in business process improvement and business analysis. This is an area that I investigated about seven years ago when doing an Open University MBA module that required me to apply some creative thinking and problem solving tools within workshop environment. I decided to do this using virtual tools and learnt a lot about online facilitation by joining the yahoo group online facilitation. One of the leaders in online facilitation is Nancy White of Full Circle Associates. Her wiki Online Facilitation Tips, Pointers and Resources is a great resource for learning more about online facilitation.

Making the UK the leading high tech exporter in Europe A report by James Dyson March 2010

2010-06-10T10:15:33Z

Making the UK the leading high tech exporter in Europe A report by James Dyson March 2010

From one of the few innovators left in the UK, James Dyson, this report will hopefully form part of the drive to reestablishing manufacturing in the UK after 30 years of neglect.

Brian Hunt (ex manufacturing engineer)

The Marriage of Lean, Scrum and Extreme Programming

2010-06-08T14:25:48Z

As my previous posts suggest, I've been investigating Scrum and how it overlaps with lean. This is a very well written article which explains these (and other) Agile Methodologies"

The Marriage of Lean, Scrum and Extreme Programming (XP): How to Align Agile Across an Organization

Brian Hunt

Sanguma Ltd

Scrumwall

2010-06-08T13:07:15Z

SCRUM is one agile methodology. The ScrumWall is new to me (although similar to the factory floor white board that I used at GE over twenty years ago) - an online ScrumWall application is free to use at http://scrumwall.cloudapp.net/

Brian Hunt

Sanguma Ltd

Agile software development and process improvement

2010-06-08T12:24:38Z

I'm always on the lookout for simpler and smarter ways of process improvement. The agile methodology used for software development is summarised in the Agile Manifesto at http://agilemanifesto.org/ . Twelve supporting principles are listed here: http://agilemanifesto.org/principles.html

To me, that describes hl operation of a lean organisation. Those principles also provide good guidelines for getting the best out of any organisation. My favourite of these principles is "Simplicity--the art of maximising the amount

of work not done--is essential." Brilliant!

Brian Hunt

Sanguma Ltd

Interesting tool for producing flowcharts from Excel

2010-05-17T12:35:00Z

According to the website for FlowBreeze

FlowBreeze Standard Flowchart Software is a Microsoft® Excel® add-in that automates the flowcharting process by converting your text into flowcharts. FlowBreeze lets you create flowcharts by just typing. You simply type in each flowchart step, and press . The text is replaced by a flow chart symbol. Formatting is applied, symbols are aligned, and a connector is added automatically'