Process Simulation
Often the best way to really understand a business process is to simulate it. The involvement of the team working in the process, the data that needs to be collected and the rehearsal of routings, decisions, and reasons, brings everyone to a much closer appreciation of how the process works; why certain things happen; and how things might be improved.
We work with process simulation software called Simul8 to generate working models of any organisational process. These models are a valuable learning tool, useful for training and for process improvement activity. They are also great for scenario planning to try out different options or configurations and to gauge the potential capacity of the process.
Where data needs to be gathered to construct the simulation, we are a partner of Applied Computer Services, using their Timer Pro Professional process measurement and analysis tools.
Process simulation is a team activity supported by software – not driven by it. The software helps us to model scenarios quickly and cost-effectively, but the real benefit is achieved by the team working together with the model to gather data and identify and implement improvements. In addition to these software tools, we also have a number of desk-based lean games that demonstrate the power of process improvement.
Please contact us for more information on process simulation and improvement.
Process Improvement Training
We offer a range of Throughput Accounting and process improvement training programmes. Click on the course title for more information.
An Introduction to Process Improvement
Organisations deliver benefits to their clients through processes, not through departments, and developing integrated and inefficient end-to-end processes is a key requirement of organisational success in the long term.
Based on the “Process Improvement Game”, this workshop helps delegates identify the problems with departmental “silos”, and supports the development of process thinking. The Process Improvement Game is a lively simulation for those new to process thinking. Not only is it great teambuilding, but it will help develop some of the skills necessary for organisational improvement.
The simulation is interspersed with various input sessions on key aspects of process improvement:
- Understanding the process
- Creative approaches to Problem Solving
- Process Mapping, and value-adding and non-value-adding steps
- The principles of lean improvement
- What does the customer value?
- A structure for process improvement
Practical Problem Solving
A one-day course that will help you establish the structure for problem solving in any organisation regardless of your size. The course includes training in problem solving techniques, a simple structure for problem solving teams; and a fun simulation to show how it works. Topics covered include:
- The three key elements for practical problem solving
- quality from the customer’s point of view
- understanding the process
- working as one team
- A simple structure for problem solving
- Creative approaches to problem solving
- Process Mapping, and other simple techniques
- Practical Problem Solving in practice – a simulation