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.
one time home cleaning Highland Park ..The goal of almost every business owner is to generate... Read More
Succession planning, like any business acumen, is both an art... Read More
If you own a pressure washing business one of the... Read More
Business seems to drop, slow or even stop during the... Read More
How often does your company make a quantum leap forward?... Read More
Let us look at a few of the big distribution... Read More
If you own a mobile franchise business and wish to... Read More
Why do so many companies languish and watch as their... Read More
I've either been involved with or held a process-related role... Read More
There is a story, about a business owner who wasn't... Read More
Much of what we heard in the mass media about... Read More
To Grow (Catapult) Your Business That's Why.When it's in your... Read More
Strategic alliances are increasing at a rapid rate. It is... Read More
One of the key challenges for any business is to... Read More
The University of Exeter in the United Kingdom recently published... Read More
"Most great plans aren't. They are just nice, high-level ideas."That's... Read More
Writing a Business Plan these days is tough, venture capitalists... Read More
Business planning is widely acknowledged as one of the keys... Read More
In this small article we'll concentrate on farmers associations and... Read More
Entrepreneurs often give little if any consideration to their computer... Read More
Is there really anything as a problem? Does chaos or... Read More
To stop a computer virus you must understand how it... Read More
Do you work in or own a business that's affected... Read More
Running a business, whether it be an offline multi-billion dollar... Read More
I love the excitement of starting up a new home... Read More
licensed cleaning services Park Ridge ..No matter what business you plan to start in your... Read More
Many of Ohio's downtown areas are in need of upgrading... Read More
Ask a small business owner about their strategic plan and... Read More
The format of a Business Plan is something that has... Read More
Some analysts credit [Larry] Ellison with anticipating the consolidation in... Read More
The time when a website was just a simple set... Read More
As fast as you can say business disaster, your business... Read More
It doesn't take a Terrorist Act, Tsunami or Earthquake to... Read More
As a business owner, you've likely created a hurricane plan... Read More
People often ask "What makes a good business plan? Or,... Read More
Writing a business plan can be tricky when all the... Read More
After 128 years of business, a household word, Montgomery Wards,... Read More
When looking at Akron carefully one cannot help but notice... Read More
I've either been involved with or held a process-related role... Read More
Strategic planning is vital while starting a new business or... Read More
When someone mentions business planning we have been conditioned to... Read More
A menu is the foundation of any restaurant; Guests will... Read More
"Most great plans aren't. They are just nice, high-level ideas."That's... Read More
So what makes a vision successful? Everyday companies try to... Read More
Would you like to jumpstart your online or offline business... Read More
Many cities have home pages on the Internet. Many of... Read More
Private equity firms have raised so much capital over the... Read More
There is a story, about a business owner who wasn't... Read More
Writing a Business Plan these days is tough, venture capitalists... Read More
Writing a business plan is no easy task, sure you... Read More
Strategic Planning |