Detail Process Charting: Speaking the Language of Process [Hardcover]

Ben B. Graham (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0471653942 | ISBN-13: 978-0471653943 | Publication Date: August 2, 2004 | Edition: 1

Praise for Detail Process Charting
"A must-read for any competitive organization, Detail Process Charting: Speaking the Language of Process provides a comprehensive, yet clear, explanation of how to utilize one of the most powerful tools available to improve work processes. [Graham] has successfully integrated the history, success stories, and wisdom of those in the field who have applied this time-tested tool."
-Jim Denyes, Training Manager
Naval Occupational Safety and Health, and Environmental Training Center
Author, Work Smarter, Not Harder
"This book will be a valuable resource for all those interested in work simplification and its implementation. Excellent answers to the 'who,' 'what,' 'when,' 'how,' and 'why' of work simplification are provided in an understandable and very useful level of detail. Graham has obviously 'been there, done that.' "
-John A. Roberts III, Adjunct Professor
School of Business Administration, University of Dayton
"The keys to this approach . . . are the involvement of the workers and the simplicity of the charting approach. Even those participants who have never seen a process chart can almost instantly see how the process works, their role in it, and how it can be improved. This level of involvement means continuous buy-in, which significantly improves the chances of success. The emphasis on the document as the key process element and the ability to diagram the document to flow easily, rapidly, and clearly set this approach apart from all the others."
-Fredric D. Heilbronner, Director of Systems Consulting, eForms
Digital Consulting & Software Services, Inc.
"Much has been written about charting and business systems analysis, but I have not seen anything as comprehensive and clear as Ben Graham's book. Writing in simple, easy-to-follow language with plentiful illustrations and practical examples, this book takes the reader through the full spectrum of the charting process from initial analysis to managing charting libraries. This book is a must-have for all process improvement analysts and managers wanting to improve their organizational efficiency."
-Robert Barnett, Managing Director
Robert Barnett and Associates Pty. Ltd.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Detail Process Charting is a practical tool for helping professionals at all levels gain stronger control of their work environments. Applicable to all organizations, this guide revisits the work-simplification approach to process improvement that prevailed for much of the twentieth century, with a special focus on the detail process chart. Looking forward to the demands of the twenty-first century, the method described in this book helps readers see the detail process chart with trained eyes that perceive fresh ways of applying this valuable approach to work improvement.

The work-simplification approach first and foremost taps into the process-specific experiences of the people who do the work. It calls upon external resources for technology-specific expertise and alternative perspectives. There is no place for a "clean-slate" approach that ignores the current process and the experience of the people who do the work.

Detail Process Charting proposes a method of work simplification that incorporates teams of people, not individuals, from different parts of the work process coming together to improve the work they share. In fact, the more people who get involved in work simplification, the more opportunities for improvement will arise.

Detail Process Charting provides a brief introduction to the history of information process charting and its derivation from manufacturing process improvement methods, offering a commonsense approach to data gathering akin to following the path of the process with a clipboard. It defines the elements of a process flowchart (symbols, conventions, and words) and explains how each is applied. With the help of more than a hundred informative illustrations and a variety of real-world examples, this book demonstrates how to construct and use detail process charts to examine business processes and improve specific situations.

Many professionals debate who should be involved in improving work processes and what kind of solutions to look for. Some arguments discuss using outside help or internal resources, whether to apply radical solutions or incremental solutions, and whether improvement efforts should be top-down or bottom-up. Detail Process Charting suggests that these "either-or" arguments force a choice between one option and another to the detriment of the overall solution. The methodology presented here gives every option for work improvement a place in the process, the key being to know the right technique to apply to the right situation.

Detail Process Charting is an essential book for CIOs, IT professionals, auditors, and analysts.

From the Back Cover

Praise for Detail Process Charting

"A must-read for any competitive organization, Detail Process Charting: Speaking the Language of Process provides a comprehensive, yet clear, explanation of how to utilize one of the most powerful tools available to improve work processes. [Graham] has successfully integrated the history, success stories, and wisdom of those in the field who have applied this time-tested tool."
–Jim Denyes, Training Manager
Naval Occupational Safety and Health, and Environmental Training Center
Author, Work Smarter, Not Harder

"This book will be a valuable resource for all those interested in work simplification and its implementation. Excellent answers to the ‘who,’ ‘what,’ ‘when,’ ‘how,’ and ‘why’ of work simplification are provided in an understandable and very useful level of detail. Graham has obviously ‘been there, done that.’ "
–John A. Roberts III, Adjunct Professor
School of Business Administration, University of Dayton

"The keys to this approach . . . are the involvement of the workers and the simplicity of the charting approach. Even those participants who have never seen a process chart can almost instantly see how the process works, their role in it, and how it can be improved. This level of involvement means continuous buy-in, which significantly improves the chances of success. The emphasis on the document as the key process element and the ability to diagram the document to flow easily, rapidly, and clearly set this approach apart from all the others."
–Fredric D. Heilbronner, Director of Systems Consulting, eForms
Digital Consulting & Software Services, Inc.

"Much has been written about charting and business systems analysis, but I have not seen anything as comprehensive and clear as Ben Graham’s book. Writing in simple, easy-to-follow language with plentiful illustrations and practical examples, this book takes the reader through the full spectrum of the charting process from initial analysis to managing charting libraries. This book is a must-have for all process improvement analysts and managers wanting to improve their organizational efficiency."
–Robert Barnett, Managing Director
Robert Barnett and Associates Pty. Ltd.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 187 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (August 2, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471653942
• ISBN-13: 978-0471653943
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,545,442 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Successful Flowcharting, October 7, 2005

By 

Mark McGregor "Author, Speaker & Performance ... (Redditch, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Detail Process Charting: Speaking the Language of Process (Hardcover)

The Graham family have been involved in work-flow and work-simplification for 3 generations. This book brings together the work of Ben, his father and his grandfather, in an easy to follow text that explains both their approach to flowcharting and why it has been so successful.

Other readers, like me, may be a little unsure about the notation suggested or indeed the level of detail prescribed by Ben. However, putting such reservations to one side, the book is of great value to anyone involved in flowcharting, process modelling and especially work-flow automation.

I particularly liked the sections covering the setting up of a process team, which nicely addressed the roles and responsibilities, and the one looking at the structure and phases of a project.

The final chapter in the book is given over to detailing the experiences of practitioners in applying the technique and of the value created within their organisations as a result. This chapter alone more than justifies both the cost of the book and the time it takes to read it. We can all learn and understand more from hearing from what people have actually done.

In summary, I am not sure how viable the Graham notation is for those who have not already invested in it, but none the less the book presents an excellent case for process modelling or flowcharting and can help anyone who might be looking to justify a business case, whatever notation they finally settle on. Finally the book is a must read for anyone looking to undertake a work-flow automation project, on these projects the ideas in this small book will pay for themselves many times over.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Process Improvement - simplified, October 14, 2005

By 

Michael Alberta "BPI/Change Agent Freak" (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Detail Process Charting: Speaking the Language of Process (Hardcover)

Work Simplification made simpler, process improvement achieved - what more could you want? And Ben's book provides the details for getting started and soon accomplishing your goals. An easy read - with everything to gain at a low cost, basically no cost -just your time (which isn't asking much, it's a fast read). The logic is simple, illustrations outstanding, and excellent coverage of an important yet downplayed topic. Now that BPM is among us - do yourself a favor and get immersed in the Graham Methodology and toolset - better than shelling out 6 figures for another product that is going to double in cost by the time your're serious about implementation.