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Robert Chapman

Improving your organisation's processes is something that is becoming increasingly important. As we move forward, organisations are building more and more processes, all with varying purposes, touching various departments and delivering various products. As these become more complex and organisations grow, having the knowledge of how to amend, improve and secure these processes is a skill becoming vital. If you can deliver such improvements to your organisation's processes today, they will reward this favourably.

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Improving your organisation's processes is something that is becoming increasingly important. As we move forward, organisations are building more and more processes, all with varying purposes, touching various departments and delivering various products. As these become more complex and organisations grow, having the knowledge of how to amend, improve and secure these processes is a skill becoming vital. If you can deliver such improvements to your organisation's processes today, they will reward this favourably.

In this course, you will learn the fundamental building blocks behind the task of process improvement, the best process mapping tools available and when these should be deployed. Every process map has a purpose, so this course will show you which one to use when.

We will cover:

- The fundamentals behind process improvement and the types of process to look out for.

- How to identify, question and change value and and non-value add steps.

- The main processes we need to build during a process improvement initiative.

- A breakdown of the key types of process and process analysis terms you will need to understand.

- The process to be followed to ensure successful deliverance of process improvement projects and demonstrations of how to deliver each step.

- A LIVE demonstration of a process improvement and a case study example of how a process improvement project was delivered.

- A complete process mapping toolkit, with LIVE demonstrations on how to use each one - with templates attached for those which require it.

- We will test your knowledge with quizzes and an assignment.

At the end of this course, you should have the confidence not only to conduct wide ranging process improvement projects but also to sell the vision and importance of process improvement to leaders within your organisation.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • How to improve your organization's processes
  • How to reform, reengineer and redesign business processes
  • How to identify value and opportunities within your processes and realise them
  • How to reduce time and cost waste within your processes
  • You will be able to save your organization significant amounts of time and effort by reducing waste
  • You will be able to save your organization significant amounts of money, where possible, by improving all of your processes so well
  • You will know how to engage with your stakeholders and process experts, improving your personable skills
  • You will understand how to identify problems and issues, fixing these and adding in the right controls
  • You will be able to transform operational performance, reduce errors, improve customer satisfaction, influence your product quality etc.
  • You will have the right level of knowledge to impress and influence your leadership and colleagues by making well thought through, positive changes instantly
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Syllabus

Introduction

In this video, we will look at what will be covered within this course.

A quick disclaimer before we begin.

In this video, we will look at what the purpose of this course is.

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To learn what process improvement is, its importance, its triggers and types, value-add and non value-add concepts and what a process map is.

In this video, we will discuss exactly what process improvement is.

In this video, we will look through a range of examples of what process improvement actually looks like.

In this video, we will explore the importance of process improvement and why you should pursue it.

In this video, we will explore the different types of triggers of process improvement there are.

In this video, we will run over the answers of the exercise.

In this video, we will look over the must happen indicators of process improvement.

In this video, we will introduce and explore the process map.

Section quiz
Identify value and non-value adding steps, increasing the VA and reduce the NVA steps.

In this video, we will explore the term value add.

In this video, we will explore the term non-value add.

In this video, we will explore the term non-value add but necessary.

In this video, we will test your knowledge of what has been covered off in this section.

As-is process, to-be process and the realised process.

In this video, we will introduce the 3 key types of process we see within process improvement.

In this video, we will discuss the as-is type of process.

In this video, we will discuss the to-be type of process.

In this video, we will discuss the realised type of process.

The 8 step process to delivering a successful process improvement project.
You will be able to describe and understand the differences between the key process analysis terms.

In this video, we will go through a high level overview of the key process analysis terms within process improvement.

In this video, we will explore the concept of takt time.

In this video, we will explore the concept of cycle time.

In this video, we will explore the concept of lead time.

In this video, we will explore the concept of bottleneck.

In this video, we will explore the concept of rework loop.

In this video, we will explore the process analysis terms using an interactive activity.

In this video, we will look at a high level overview of the process to deliver process improvements.

In this video we will look at the importance of identifying the process.

In this video we will look at the importance of mapping the as-is process.

In this video, we will analyse the as-is process map in more detail.

In this video we will look at the importance of identifying the value-add and non value-add steps.

In this video, we will analyse our process from a value and non-value add perspective.

In this video we will look at the importance of mapping the to-be process.

In this video we will look at the importance of conducting a gap analysis.

In this video we will look at the importance of mapping the realised process.

In this video we will look at the importance of testing the new process.

In this video we will look at the importance of providing wider updates at the end of this process.

A 5 question quiz to test your understanding of what has just been covered.

Build out your process improvement plan
We will learn about the key process mapping tools available and how they can help us to improve our processes.

In this video, we will understand what this section will entail.

In this video, we will explore the features of this map.

In this video, we will explore how to build this map.

In this video, we will discuss the types of questions you should be asking in a mapping workshop.

In this video, we will run through the first demonstration.

In this video, we will run through the second demonstration.

In this video, we will discuss the types of questions you should be asking in a discussions workshop.

In this video, we will explore how to build out this map.

In this video, we will discuss the types of questions you should be asking in an improvement workshop.

In this video, we will explore the second demonstration.

In this video, we will explore the features of this map.

In this video, we will explore how to build this map.

In this video, we will run through demonstration 1.

In this video, we will run through demonstration 2.

In this video, we will explore how to build out this map.

In this video, we will run through demonstration 1.

In this video, we will run through demonstration 2.

In this video, we will run through our first demonstration.

In this video, we will run through our second demonstration.

In this video, we will look at a matrix of when to use the process mapping tools.

Try out one of the tools!
You will be able to identify the different types of waste when you see them.

In this video, we will look at the 8 wastes from a high level.

In this video, we will explore the transport waste.

In this video, we will explore the inventory waste.

In this video, we will explore the motion waste.

In this video, we will explore the waiting waste.

In this video, we will explore the overproduction waste.

In this video, we will explore the overprocessing waste.

In this video, we will explore the defects waste.

In this video, we will explore the skills waste.

In this video, we will explore the 8 wastes through an interactive activity.

You will be able to successfully deliver a process mapping and improvement workshop.

In this video, we will discuss the set up expected from a mapping workshop.

In this video, we will discuss the set up expected from a discussions workshop.

In this video, we will discuss the set up expected from a improvement workshop.

In this video, we will discuss the logistics around a physical workshop with a screen.

In this video, we will discuss the logistics around a physical workshop with a whiteboard.

In this video, we will discuss the logistics around a digital workshop.

In this video, we will introduce the need to ask the right questions in the workshop.

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Save Process Improvement: Certification to your list so you can find it easily later:
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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Process Improvement: Certification with these activities:
Review Lean Manufacturing Principles
Reinforce foundational knowledge of Lean principles, which are heavily related to process improvement and waste reduction.
Browse courses on Lean Manufacturing
Show steps
  • Review the seven wastes of Lean.
  • Study the principles of continuous improvement.
  • Practice identifying waste in everyday processes.
Read 'Gemba Kaizen' by Masaaki Imai
Learn about Kaizen principles and how to apply them to achieve continuous process improvement.
Show steps
  • Read a chapter of the book.
  • Identify key Kaizen concepts.
  • Consider how to apply Kaizen in your work.
Read 'The Goal' by Eliyahu M. Goldratt
Understand the Theory of Constraints through a narrative that makes the concepts more accessible and memorable.
Show steps
  • Read a section of the book.
  • Reflect on the concepts presented.
  • Relate the concepts to real-world scenarios.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Map a Current Process
Apply process mapping techniques learned in the course to a real-world process within your organization or personal life.
Show steps
  • Select a process to map.
  • Gather data on the process steps.
  • Create an 'as-is' process map.
  • Identify areas for improvement.
Waste Identification Exercises
Reinforce your ability to identify the eight wastes (TIMWOODS) in various scenarios to improve process efficiency.
Show steps
  • Review the definitions of each waste.
  • Analyze case studies to identify wastes.
  • Practice identifying wastes in your workplace.
Develop a Process Improvement Proposal
Synthesize course knowledge to create a formal proposal outlining a specific process improvement initiative.
Show steps
  • Identify a process needing improvement.
  • Analyze the current process and its inefficiencies.
  • Propose a 'to-be' process with specific changes.
  • Estimate the potential benefits of the improvement.
  • Present the proposal to stakeholders.
Create a Process Improvement Blog
Solidify your understanding of process improvement by creating and maintaining a blog where you share insights, case studies, and best practices.
Show steps
  • Choose a blogging platform.
  • Develop a content calendar.
  • Write and publish regular blog posts.
  • Promote your blog to relevant audiences.

Career center

Learners who complete Process Improvement: Certification will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Process Improvement: Certification.
Introduces the concept of Kaizen, a Japanese philosophy of continuous improvement. It emphasizes the importance of involving all employees in the improvement process and focusing on small, incremental changes. It's a valuable resource for understanding the cultural and organizational aspects of process improvement. This book provides a broader perspective on continuous improvement and employee engagement.
Business novel that illustrates the principles of process improvement through the story of a struggling manufacturing plant. It provides an engaging and accessible way to understand the Theory of Constraints and how to identify and eliminate bottlenecks. The book is highly recommended for anyone involved in process improvement, as it offers practical insights and a compelling narrative. It is often used as a supplementary text in operations management and process improvement courses.

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