Business Process Improvement Toolbox (Hardcover)

~ Bjorn Andersen (Author) "Both, of course..." (more)
Key Phrases: work unit analysis, small variation width, overall improvement process, American University, New York, Pacific Bell (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

What sets this book apart from others that explain individual improvement tools is the sequential organization and the integrated explanation for applying the tools. Using an overall process improvement framework the author groups the tools into a total approach, thereby helping you know when to use each tool and for what purpose. Every single tool includes an example of its use along with ready-to-use templates for matrices, forms, and charts so you can start using the tools right away. Business Process Improvement Toolbox starts by explaining all overall process improvement framework, presents the tools in sequence for this framework, and then concludes with one over-arching case demonstrating the use of all the tools in a concerted effort. As a result, you'll learn how tools fit together and how they can be used in a coherent process improvement system. The author focuses on providing clear, step-by-step instructions and describes an improvement process that can be used in real life.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 233 pages
• Publisher: ASQ Quality Press (June 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873894383
• ISBN-13: 978-0873894388
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #632,661 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Succinct description of simple/powerful tools & methods, June 19, 2001

By	Linda Zarate "IT Ops Consultant" (Azusa, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This is a small, information-packed book that contains a collection of tools and techniques, and an overreaching method.

The tools are standard TQM and process improvement implements, and are augmented by forms and templates that anyone who is tackling process improvement can quickly put to good use. These tools are classified by use: problem identification, analysis, brainstorming and consensus, etc. The author shows not only when, but how to effectively use the tools, and gives clear examples.

The overreaching method that is communicated in this book is: (1) when possible perform improvement activities in parallel, (2) activities that are sequenced can often be improved by examining the sequence and determining if it can be changed to promote greater efficiency (and reduce cycle time), and (3) pay attention to process flow and look for barriers and interruptions that need to be removed.

I like this book because it is short and to the point, is densely packed with information (even if a lot of it has been published elsewhere), and the author's approach which is to pay attention to seemingly minor details and perform rigorous analysis using the easy-to-use tools he provides in this book.

3 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Quick review, May 2, 2000

By	Amable Rodriguez (Spain) - See all my reviews

Very interesting book, I think needs more practical cases.