The process improvement plan aims at making changes to a process and making it more efficient in terms of output as well as the performance. The main aim of the process improvement plan is to create quality and increase quantity as a means of profit maximization and customers’ satisfaction. A process improvement plan seeks to act on an existing process. This can involve a change in a step or decision that collectively affects a process.
In this case the process improvement plan is based on improving the online transactions platform by making sure that it runs smoothly and is secure for our clients. Cyber security is very crucial as we need to safeguard the information of our clients as well as protect our competitive advantage secrets. The online transactions platform is the core of our every day activities in the organization hence it is important to ensure that it is running efficiently. Hence it is vital to implement the security framework that is up to date with the threats that are posed.
In establishing a process improvement plan there are various steps that need to be adopted to ensure that the plan works as expected by achieving the desired goals (MSG, n.d.).
These steps include;
· Identifying the process that is to be improved as well as the what to gain from the improvement. This involves outlining the goals that you anticipate to achieve after the implementation of the plan.
· Resource allocation and scheduling of activities. It involves setting up a team that is to handle the plan development as well as execution. This is the step where you come up with the projected figures of the other resources such as finance in order to be in a position to act on the plan. This step is very vital as the plan cannot proceed without having an allocation of resources in an organization.
The list of required resources in order to facilitate the process improvement plan include;
· Hardware
There is need to upgrade the servers to ensure that we can accommodate a large traffic of customers shopping at the same time. Therefore, there is need to purchase extra servers that will cost the organisation about 15000 dollars compared to being hosted this is a better option despite being expensive for security reasons at fee of 200 dollars a month and risk the security of our information
· Software
In adhering to the security measure and framework there is need to upgrade the cyber security software to a better and latest version that is free from cyber-attacks. It will involve upgrading the firewall at a cost of 200 dollars a month.
· Real estate
There is also the need to relocate our servers to a more secure location as well as a less prone location to natural catastrophes.
· Training materials
The process improvement plan entails a change in the systems of operation therefore it will be necessary to train the staff on how to handle the current improved process. There is need to develop a dummy to facilitate the training of the staff.
· Downtime due to training
A downtime of the system is scheduled at the end of the week to facilitate testing, training as well as the go live of the plan. The integration process is scheduled to be at the late evening hours to avoid much inconveniences to customers and it will take a maximum of four hours.
· Human capital
There is need to put into account of the need for an additional of five employees in the IT security section as well as the manager to ensure that the system is secure at all times.
· Employee payment for training
The above resources will require much finances in order to implement the plan. However, after a cost benefit analysis the best decision is to invest in the plan as it will protect the organization from losses due to cyber-attacks as well as enhance customer experience. In developing the plan, the above allocation of resources in terms of manpower and finances is something manageable by the company.
After resource allocation and having a go ahead the steps to follow are;
· Collection and examination of data
· Establish the specifics of the issues that need to be altered and resolved.
· Set for targets that the plan is likely to achieve after implementation and actualization
· Testing to ensure that the improve process is in a position to run without any faults.
· Implementation of the plan after running successful tests. This step involves scheduling of go live dates of the process improvement plan. If the tests were unsuccessful, the steps start all over again in the collection and analysis of data to determine the cause of the failure of the tests.
· Evaluation and making the necessary changes.in this step you come up with counter measures. This involves creating of a backup plan or a means to resolve any problem the system is likely to experience. This is to cater for unforeseen errors in the improvement plan (Kothari, 2018).
References
Anjoran, R. (n.d.). Setting up a Step-By-Step Process Improvement Plan in Your Factory. Retrieved from http://www.cmc-consultants.com/blog/setting-up-a-step-by-step-process-improvement-plan-in-your-factory
Kothari, A. (2018, August 3). Definition - What is a Process Improvement Plan? - Tallyfy. Retrieved from https://tallyfy.com/process-improvement-plan/
MSG. (n.d.). Business Process Improvement Plan - Making a Beginning with BPI. Retrieved from https://www.managementstudyguide
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