SCM 300 - Module 11 Study Guide (EXAM 3)

Consulting

A term used to describe services related to providing advice to companies, organizations, and individuals

Gather Data and/or Provide Information, Define the Problem, Develop Solutions, Provide Recommendations, Implementation

What are the five different consulting services?

Gather Data and/or Provide Information

Consulting service where clients are lost and need general guidance

Define the Problem

Consulting service where something is broken, we see negative symptoms… but why? Work to identify the root cause

Develop Solutions

Consulting service where you create a plan/mechanism to fix the stated problem, perhaps create multiple plans

Provide Recommendations

Consulting service where in the face of many possible solutions, you present a summary with a well-supported course of action and weigh the options

Implementation

Consulting service where you provide assistance in putting recommended solutions into place

Engagement

What is a consulting project called?

Waterfall and Iterative

What are the two types of consulting?

Waterfall

A method with multiple phases. Each phase must be completed before moving to the next phase. There is no back-tracking. Project manager directs the project.

Works for a well-defined project and must be well established from start to finish. Low flexibility.

Example: Government Projects

Iterative (Agile)

A method designed to be flexible in an effort to allow for stakeholder feedback and improvements in technology. Phases can be done concurrently. Team collectively manages the project.

Client is an important part of the process throughout. Very open to changes and feedback. These projects can struggle with changing deadlines and evolving budgets.

Example: Projects seeking to innovate

Desire to Help People, Data Skills, Values Feedback, Values Simplicity, Expect Resistance to Change

What are the five attributes of a good consultant?

Scope Creep and Sticking to a Dead-End Scope

What are the two common consulting errors?

Recommendations Tied to Goals, Monetary Benefit, Value to Work Ratio, Organizational Fit

What are the four requirements of a business solution?

Business Process Improvement (BPI)

A defined method used to help organizations make processes more effective, efficient, and/or adaptable

Desired State, Present State, Gap Analysis, Develop Project Scope, Collect/Share/Analyze Data, Develop Solutions and Recommendations, Develop an Implementation Plan

What are the seven steps of business process improvement?

Desired State

First step of BPI where you create quantifiable goals and interview client

Present State

Second step of BPI where you collect data and observe

Gap Analysis

Third step of BPI where you measure and compare the difference between the desired state and the present state

Develop Project Scope

Fourth step of BPI where you decide what the project will include/exclude, its budget, end date, etc

Collect, Share, and Analyze Data

Fifth step of BPI where the in-depth work begins; You investigate and get feedback from others

Develop Solutions and Recommendations

Sixth step of BPI where you come up with solutions that the consumer will buy and you make an impact/push for creativity

Develop an Implementation Plan

Seventh step of BPI where you provide a path to adoption

Scope Creep (Scope Inflation)

A phenomenon where during the course of a project, the project team allows new goals and deliverables to become part of the project

Block Diagram

A map of many interconnected processes; Not very detailed

Block Diagram

What kind of process design tool is this?

Process Map (Flowchart)

Utilized to illustrate the sequence of activities within a single process. In addition, it identifies the different types of activities in the process through the use of different symbols

Process Map (Flowchart)

What kind of process design tool is this?

Rectangle

Flowchart symbol that represents a task, operation, or data collection point

Diamond

Flowchart symbol that represents a decision point where multiple exit flow paths are possible

Oval

Flowchart symbol that represents a terminator; Depicts start/end entrances and exits to process

Solid Arrow

Flowchart symbol that depicts flow of customer/material within the process

Rectangle with Lines

Flowchart symbol that depicts an entire process; Likely depicted in another flowchart

Open Arrow

Flowchart symbol that represents movement/transportation

Circle

Flowchart symbol that represents inspection

Half Oval

Flowchart symbol that represents a delay in the process

Swimlane Flowcharts (Functional Flowcharts)

Effectively the same as standard process maps except they offer more detail; In these charts we can see the individual or group that is responsible for each activity

Swimlane Flowchart (Functional Flowchart)

What kind of process design tool is this?

Process Map

These are the values of a _____ ____ in an organization.

• Required Resources

• Technology Requirements

• Testing the Process

• Operational Estimates

• Communication

• Quality Tool