Problem Statement

1

Grand Canyon University

Instructor Name:

MIS-652 Business Process Analysis

December 1, 2021

Introduction

Cummins is a global engine manufacturer that also designs and manufactures turbochargers for engine applications. Cummins Turbocharger is the market leader in medium and heavy-duty car applications worldwide.

The Process and Relevant Data Comment by Seon A Levius: Since you are using “Cummins” in this section, you need to pinpoint some process problem with data issues for optimization. The optimization or improvement can be for both the process and technology.

Prototype - A Model of the Construction Process: The organization's prototyping process is ineffective and results in a lengthier lead time in comparison to client needs. According to data from the last six months, the average lead time for proto-sample building is approaching 12 days, rather than the five days requested by the customer.

Process Improvement Methods Comment by Seon A Levius: In this section you will basically explain how you will improve the process problem you identified above. This is basically the articulation of your solution (which must for this case include technology optimization). Also, how will you evaluate it. You mentioned Six Sigma as the tool to enhance the process. But that is not what we want here. Six Sigma can be the tool you used to evaluate the proposed solution to the problem you identified. So, in this sense, I didn’t see any articulation about how you will evaluate your improvements to ensure, they are efficient and effective. For example, Six Sigma can be used as the process improvement method. The Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control (DMAIC) sub-methodology within Six Sigma can be helpful in defining the details of the future state process and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that the future state process should be able to meet. Other methods in our reading this week that can be explored includes PDCA (Plan Do Check Act).

Six Sigma is a technique for process improvement. Six sigma methodology is being designed for process improvement and the implementation of six sigma tools in order to correctly assess the process and achieve improvement (Thomas, et al., 2017)

The following format explains the problem statement and execution of the process improvement method.

Problem Statement

Articulate your problem statement here

Problem Statement Worksheet

Original problem or focus question	The lead time for the proto sample process is longer than anticipated by the customer.  12 days rather than 5.
Stakeholders who are most affected by the problem	The Customer prototyping team and the Company program management team are the most impacted by this issue.
Type of Problem	Problems with resources and processes Comment by Seon A Levius: Technology has to be one of the problems
Suspected cause of the problem	Suspected reasons based on the cross functional team's root cause analysis are as follows. 1.Because the process is dependent on multiple individuals/functions, it results in a lengthier lead time. 2. Full-time resources are unavailable, and part-time resources are unable to devote sufficient time to these requirements due to their normal work 3. Excessive employee involvement in everyday work. 4. The system's procedures and formalities are extensive. 5. Inadequate planning of prototyping samples.  This is a result of unexpected requirements.
Goal for improvement and long-term impact	The project's objective is to design a method for producing proto samples in a 5-day lead time to fulfill client expectations. Comment by Seon A Levius: Peter Drucker, a famous management writer, once said that if you cannot measure something, you cannot manage it. How are you going to measure whether these goals are attained? I would call your goals here critical success factors (CSFs) Your goals should be written as key performance indicators (KPIs). So, the goals should be quantifiable metrics that can be used to evaluate progress toward critical success factors (CSFs). KPIs are far more specific than CSFs. See the example in the Problem Statement template. These are written as KPIs: 1. Increase quality for claims calls from 95% to 99% 2. Reduce average handling time by 30% 3. Reduce call center operating cost by 10% What data points will you used to measure the progress of your improvements? In Topic 3, we will deal with “Defining and Measuring a Process.” One of the learning outcomes for this topic is “Determine appropriate key performance indicators (KPI) for measuring process improvements.” You can read pages 37 to 38 in the Chapter 2 handout I provided to understand CSFs and KPIs
Impact to Stakeholders	1. The customer will be pleased to receive the sample within the anticipated lead time. 2. Program management will be pleased, since their project will go according to plan. 3. The development team will be pleased with the availability of a proto sample for testing purposes during the project's development.
Proposal for addressing the problem	The issue will be resolved with the use of the following options: Comment by Seon A Levius: Where is the technology optimization to improve the business process? This should have been identified and articulated under the section, “Process Improvement Methods and Evaluating the Process and Data” 1. Resources will be added to ensure that the requirement can be met on an as-needed basis. 2. The system's formality will be optimized to facilitate the sample processing.
Final problem statement	At the conclusion, the procedure is optimized and enhanced.  The technique is capable of completing the prototyping of a sample within the customer's anticipated lead times.  The issue will be resolved as a result of the aforementioned activities.

References

Thomas, A., Antony, J., Haven-Tang, C., Francis, M., & Fisher, R. (2017). Implementing Lean Six Sigma into curriculum design and delivery–a case study in higher education. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management.

Dear Felicitas,

Thanks for your submission and I appreciate your effort. I am returning this assignment to you. Please review the “John Doe Sample” I provided in the announcement area and follow that format. Please include all subheadings

Please note that your document should include the following sections:

· An introduction to the organization.

· An evaluation of the process and relevant data.

· An overview of the process improvement methods and tools used to evaluate the process and data.

· A clear and concise problem statement based upon the "Problem Statement Worksheet" template.

Plus, the Problem Statement Worksheet

We must get this first assignment right. The reason I am reinforcing this is because you will have to expand on these areas for later assignments, so if I don’t see them now, it’s going to be painful to think about them later. I’ve seen many students struggle with this. You have to read ahead as all these assignments are connected.

Note the following:

You have to use an example for a company (you are using “Cummins”) that has a business process problem, where data might be the issue.

For instance:

1. The Process Problem and Relevant Data

Find some business process in an organization (you are using “Cummins”) that is currently being done manually and explain it.

2. Process Improvement Methods and Tools

The solution could be to use automation (some software application), which would make the process more efficient and effective. The automation part would be the technology optimization aspect of the improvement to the process you identified. Next, explain how you will evaluate that process improvement to ensure it is being both efficient and effective.

Note: When you get to assignment 2, you see that you have to address the following question:

B) What information differs from process improvement to technology optimization when creating the workflow? Here you have to separate the business process improvement from the technology optimization in your workflow. Note the differences. What is process improvement? What is technology optimization?

My best