Abstract: Software alone is not enough to make your business run more smoothly and cost-effectively. For software to deliver value to your organization, your users must have the skills to use it accurately and intelligently. With careful planning and the right
process improvement tools, best-in-class businesses are creating performance cycles that establish user acceptance and understanding up front. Shouldn’t your business be one of them?
PubDate: 2/1/2008 4:51:00 PM
Abstract: Process improvement efforts often go hand in hand with a balanced scorecard (BSC). A BSC provides management with a set of key result indicators (KRI) to assess how the company is progressing toward strategic goals, such as “increase customer base.” For this type of goal, the KRI are tied to key performance indicators (KPIs). Explore how an application intelligence platform (AIP) can support a process improvement program.
Abstract: North American process manufacturers face increasing challenges related to heightened security, pricing pressures, global competition, and rising costs. Thus, continuous improvement of processes is imperative to remaining competitive. How close is your company to world-class? And how focused are you on process improvement? Find out how get started on a process improvement strategy that will have long-term benefits.
Abstract: The focus on process improvement continues to grow, and adoption of business process management (BPM) technology continues to rise despite slow-downs in other areas of business information technology. Discover how process improvement addresses common business issues that negatively impact operations at all levels of an organization, and learn about the increasing imperative to accelerate process improvement initiatives.
Abstract: Having just completed implementing your enterprise-wide software, you are about lean back, put your feet up on the desk, and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Not so fast! While you were completing your implementation project, a new release of the software may have already hit the street or, for sure, there is one in the pipeline. Now you are faced with the decision as to if and when to take on the new release. Maybe now is the time to look at how a new class of software tools, enterprise process improvement (EPI), can assist you in the upgrade decision.
Abstract: Testing a system well is harder than building it. In the face of new risks introduced by the ever-increasing complexity of software and hardware, test tools may be your only practical way to be confident that you've got just what you paid for. From gathering the initial requirements to supporting the system after it has been deployed, test tools are available to support all phases of a project. This article looks at the ways that test tools can be used to design, code, and (of course) test a system.
Abstract: What is an Acquisition Plan (AP)? Acquisition Plan Definition: "An Acquisition plan (AP) is the comprehensive document that sets forth the acquisition strategy, defines the efforts required to implement it, and ensures coordination of all human and organizational resources involved in fulfilling the organization's needs in a timely manner and at a reasonable cost.". Who Should—or Shouldn't—Write the Acquisition Plan? When is a Written Acquisition Plan Required? Informal vs. Formal Acquisition Plan Template. How Does The Acquisition Plan Contribute to Acquisition Process Improvement? Writing an acquisition plan is a procedure referenced and defined by several software engineering (SE) standards (e.g., ISO/IEC 12207, IEEE 1062), software acquisition improvement models (e.g., CMMI for Acquisition [CMMI-ACQ]), and IT governance frameworks (e.g., CObIT) that organizations implement as part of their acquisition process improvement initiative. How to Write an Acquisition Plan? Acquisition Plan—Online Resources.
Abstract: Most companies recognize that business intelligence (BI) is critical to business process improvement and decision making, because these BI tools turn data into actionable information. However, many companies fail to put BI tools into the hands of users who would most benefit from them. Find out how IT executives can leverage today’s less complex BI tools to empower your company from top to bottom.
Abstract: Commerce One has partnered with Sagent Technology to add analytic tools to its enterprise e-purchasing application. Also, Ariba has partnered with Informatica to add analytic tools to its enterprise e-purchasing application.
Abstract: Tools under the business intelligence (BI) umbrella combine to convert data into information, and information into decisions for action. Dashboards and scorecards are two such tools. Though often confused, they have functional difference, especially in modern BI suites.
Abstract: This tutorial, part 2 of a two part series on Knowledge Based Selection, demonstrates the selection processes and capabilities of Knowledge Based Selection Methods and Tools. These tools, integrated with business decision making procedures, can arguably reduce selection risk and improve chances for success in IT projects. Given the appalling rate of IT project failures, selection can potentially help reduce risk in some 30% of cases, with an associated estimated cost of about $30B annually to industry according to some sources. In this tutorial, we illustrate a number of the procedures for rapid decision processing through the real-life selection of a PDA device. The process gave confidence to the argument to wait for the solution, while weighing risk against return.
Abstract: In going through a business decision process for complex technology selections, more and more use is being made of technologically driven processes using Decision support tools and captured knowledge. The use of these systems and the capability to drive a solution from them assumes an ability to accurately express business requirements and business value within these tools. In this article, we explore the marriage of knowledge management and decision support in forming knowledge based selection systems and procedures that can assist in reducing the current appalling record of IT project failures. This is illustrated by the process to select a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA).
Abstract: This article continues the examination of tools that a vendor may supply that can make the implementation of an ERP package easier for your project team, end users, and IT department. Read on to see what tools you may want to have in your toolbox before proceeding with the implementation.
Abstract: Many discrete manufacturers have adopted lean manufacturing approaches, but haven’t pursued lean improvement methods. Even those that have report only small, local benefits. A holistic approach is needed to see the long-term benefits of lean. To find out if your company is ready to make lean improvements, you need to ask key questions. Discover what they are, and how to start down the path to leaner manufacturing.
Abstract: In today’s changing, competitive world, companies must adopt a continuous improvement methodology to support sustainable and profitable business models. Processes must be seen as a lever for analyzing and optimizing the way firms works. Before you initiate any project involving process automation and management, discover five key points that can help you make continuous improvements in the life cycles of your processes.
Abstract: Most businesses today depend on their own IT departments to satisfy corporate governance objectives and meet increasing customer demand. Unfortunately, many have failed to clearly demonstrate to themselves—and to their customers—that they are truly managing their business. Only when the IT department understands what the business wants can it benchmark itself and build continual improvement plans that can meet these demands.
Abstract: Microsoft development tools will help developers and independent Microsoft software vendors integrate Microsoft Dynamics GP with existing applications. This accounting and business management system includes many features and benefits, as well as guidelines to help developers choose the right tools for various development tasks and create custom applications that integrate with Microsoft Dynamics GP.
Abstract: Installing a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is both challenging and exciting. Yet many organizations do not recognize that one of the largest threats to such a project is a failure to focus on process improvement. If process change is not seen as a necessary element of the project, it will never be as successful as it should be.
Abstract: Conventional business intelligence (BI) tools are often not available to decision makers and are typically designed for use by trained business analysts. Learn about software-as-a-service (SaaS) BI tools designed to help non-IT people who struggle with the task of mining Microsoft Excel spreadsheets and other unstructured data sources to make sales forecasts, plan for resource utilization, or service customer accounts.