I've either been involved with or held a process-related role since 1994. It started in the government with TQM (Total Quality Management). Then before I left the government, I worked with ERWin and some process standard model -- I've forgotten its official name. We had pages and pages of flows that were not easy to follow.
In 1997, we worked with a fancy software application that was not user-friendly and spit out huge process maps. In 1998, I joined another company and the department had its own process for managing process additions, changes, and deletions. The organization got much bigger and then we dove into CMM.
I've written several articles on process.
I bring this up because Will pointed me to this, which led to my finding Katie's version of RUP:
Step 1: Write about running really fast.
Step 2: Go and draw a plan of the racetrack.
Step 3: Go and buy really tight lycra shorts.
Step 4: Run really, really, really fast.
Step 5: Cross line first.
Unfortunately, the outcome of RUP is that you end up with extremely well documented TERRIBLE designs.
This blog has the best quote:
"Process won't help you if you suck. It will just make you suck more repeatably."
I believe process is important and necessary. Documenting everything doesn't help because no one studies the document. We're too busy with our own little world. It's the new employees who benefit most.
Anyway, templates are useful to ensure you consistently document with every project and remember all the components. If you can make it better, do it! There's always a better way of doing something. That's why we have CPI: Continuous process improvement. The hard part is finding an effective way to do things and documenting it.
meryl k. evans is the Content Maven behind meryl k. evans, meryl k. evans. She is also a PC Today columnist and a tour guide at InformIT. She is geared to tackle your editing, writing, content, and process needs. The native Texan resides in Plano, Texas, a heartbeat north of Dallas, and doesn't wear a 10-gallon hat or cowboy boots.
maide service in Lincolnshire ..So you've decided to write your own business plan because... Read More
Note to Northwest Airlines ? It's not about fuel costsFor... Read More
What gets measured gets done.How do you keep your business... Read More
David E. Gumpert, author of Burn Your Business Plan, often... Read More
"I don't need a business plan."Neither did Alice in Wonderland."Would... Read More
Is there really anything as a problem? Does chaos or... Read More
Entrepreneurs often give little if any consideration to their computer... Read More
The decision to sell, or not to sell your business... Read More
"Rubbish!" shouted the large, aggressive man in the red-striped shirt... Read More
The format of a Business Plan is something that has... Read More
Regroup?is this a new management trend? Not a chance! Regroup... Read More
How you finance the expansion of your business is important.... Read More
One of the most important initiatives in the domain of... Read More
I've either been involved with or held a process-related role... Read More
It's easy to lose sight of what needs to be... Read More
By cranking up others development to meet your business needs,... Read More
Business plan financial projections seem daunting because they are so... Read More
One Research Scientist at the Hewlett-Packard (HP) Imaging Systems laboratory... Read More
A strategic alliance is when two or more businesses join... Read More
Why cut costs now? Efforts are multiplying to cut costs... Read More
If you own a mobile car wash business or auto... Read More
There are no "rules of thumb" in the pursuit of... Read More
Storytelling and writing a business plan actually go hand in... Read More
It doesn't take a Terrorist Act, Tsunami or Earthquake to... Read More
Scenario OneDuring a recent presentation, a business owner was given... Read More
cleaning lady near Deerfield ..If you are a successful franchise of a large franchise... Read More
Most companies that are worthy of raising venture capital have... Read More
No "meme" isn't a typo and Got Milk, the more... Read More
As a business owner, you've likely created a hurricane plan... Read More
Businesses tend to avoid doing their annual business plan thinking... Read More
"Rubbish!" shouted the large, aggressive man in the red-striped shirt... Read More
Would you like to jumpstart your online or offline business... Read More
In most business plans, no matter how striking the idea,... Read More
"Did you hear what your competitor is doing?" This question... Read More
To Grow (Catapult) Your Business That's Why.When it's in your... Read More
What do Mark Victor Hansen, Robert Allen, Anthony Robbins, Andrew... Read More
Strategic planning and consulting is the strategy roadmap to manage... Read More
One of the key challenges for any business is to... Read More
In this small article we'll concentrate on farmers associations and... Read More
One of the difficulties we face in our industrialized age... Read More
David E. Gumpert, author of Burn Your Business Plan, often... Read More
The Accountability/Alignment Process: Three Steps to an Accountable Organization Generating... Read More
Last week we talked about a few of the ways... Read More
Business owners and entrepreneurs are, by nature, risk takers and... Read More
Business rises and falls on leadership. According to business guru,... Read More
Here's a really simple way to make sure your plans... Read More
Anyone who has been watching the Idaho Market Carefully for... Read More
It's easy to lose sight of what needs to be... Read More
By cranking up others development to meet your business needs,... Read More
Writing a Business Plan these days is tough, venture capitalists... Read More
Strategic Planning |