“multi-disciplinaryfield that focuses on managing all aspects of an organization’s operations” (Hillstrom, 2002).

Operations Process

input the rawmaterials required to create the product or service

transformation the productionprocess

output the final product or completed service transaction

feedback thequality review check (Kupferschmid, 2007).

Rivalry among existing competitors

Threat of new entrants

Bargaining power of buyers

Threat of substitutes

Bargaining power of suppliers (Porter, 2008)

Quality Management

an approach taken by management to assess,maintain and improve upon the activities of a process in order to maintain the quality of aproduct or service.

Popular Quality Management Systems

Total Quality Management

Six Sigma

Lean

Kaizen

Benchmarking

the process of comparing the practicesand strategies of other companies

Supply chain

a systemmanagement concept employed by some organizations to optimize the factors of materialcosts, quality and service” (Raedls, 2001, p.224)

Supply Chain Systems Examples

Empowering teams

Strategic sourcing

Just in Time

Reasons for supplier problems

Poor communication

Lack of customer service support

Unexpected cost increases

Disaster recovery failure

Outsourcing

the contracting or subcontracting of noncore activities to free up cash,

personnel, time, and facilities for activities in which a company holds a competitive advantage

Disaster Planning Purposes

preventing a disaster or stoppage of theworkflow process from occurring

providing accessible instruction on how to handle thedisaster or stoppage of workflow

it provides a qualified guarantee to the stakeholders thatbusiness will continue to the best of its ability during the crisis with the intent of getting back tonormal business as soon as possible

due diligence

creating a contractthat contains structure and protection

performing quality control checks

Reasons to perform a process review

confirm the currentprocesses are still in alignment with the strategic plan

could be a recent crisis that may haveaffected the production process

Regulatory changes

people who deal with and address the objectively realresistance of change recipients (Ford, Ford & D’Amelio, 2008)

identify and allocate resources

change agents or leaders would need to beidentified

designatingthe authorities and responsibilities of the resources

identify and describe theactual processes and procedures that will take place in order to enact the change

works in conjunction with step four as part of those procedures will need to include training

guidelines for those involved in the change

all equipment, tools and anyother necessary supplies are identified and made available in order to implement the changeand to continue with the new process on a daily basis.

diverse inage, gender, knowledge base and decision making styles

group would be relatively the same age, same gender, share similar education and their

decision making styles

The percentage of projects that fail

obtain the finalrequirements

create a project charter

develop a project plan

controlling the project

reminds those in charge of the project to remember to rewardthe positive results

complete the project with the intent of a successful implementationinto the everyday workflow.