Business Improvement Note Online Students Please Select One
Business Improvementnoteonline Students Please Select One Of The T
Business Improvement note: Online students, please select one of the two subjects to discuss. Select one (1) project from the working or educational environment of your choice and specify the main work process (e.g., suppliers and customers involved, work flow, etc.) of the project that you have selected. Next, suggest at least two (2) actions that a manager can take in order to improve the work process of the project in question. Provide a rationale for your response.
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
Business improvement is a systematic approach aimed at enhancing the efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of work processes within an organization. By analyzing specific projects and implementing targeted actions, managers can foster continuous improvement, thereby increasing productivity, reducing costs, and improving customer satisfaction. This paper explores a selected project in an educational environment, analyzes its core work process, and proposes two actionable strategies for managerial intervention aimed at optimizing its workflow.
Selected Project and Description of Main Work Process
The chosen project is the implementation of a new student registration system at a university. This project involves multiple stakeholders, including university administrative staff, prospective and current students, and external IT service providers. The primary work process encompasses several sequential steps: application submission, document verification, fee processing, registration confirmation, and orientation scheduling.
The flow begins with students submitting their applications digitally through an online portal. Administrative staff review application data and verify documents, which may involve communication with students for clarification. Once verified, students proceed to fee payment, either online or in person. Upon successful fee processing, registration is confirmed, and students receive their schedules and access credentials for campus services. Throughout this process, communication with external IT providers ensures system availability and security.
Efficiency issues arise due to manual data entry, delays in document verification, and lack of integrated communication channels, leading to periods of bottlenecks and customer dissatisfaction.
Proposed Actions for Process Improvement
Action 1: Automate Data Entry and Verification Processes
The first strategic action involves implementing automation tools, such as optical character recognition (OCR) software, to digitize and verify application documents automatically. Automation can drastically reduce manual data entry errors and speed up the verification process. Integrating AI-driven verification systems can cross-reference applicant data with existing databases to confirm authenticity quickly.
Rationale: Automating repetitive tasks minimizes human error, reduces processing time, and reallocates administrative resources toward more complex decision-making. This leads to a more streamlined workflow, allowing for a quicker response time for applicants, and enhances overall efficiency and accuracy.
Action 2: Develop an Integrated Communication Platform
The second action entails establishing an integrated digital communication platform accessible to both students and staff. This platform would facilitate real-time updates on application status, document requirements, and fee payment confirmation. Automated alerts and notifications can be sent to students regarding pending actions or issues requiring attention.
Rationale: Improved communication reduces misunderstandings, accelerates problem resolution, and enhances the customer experience. Real-time updates keep stakeholders informed and engaged, preventing delays caused by miscommunication. This integrated approach ensures transparency, accountability, and streamlines the coordination among involved parties.
Conclusion
Optimizing work processes within educational projects such as student registration can significantly impact organizational effectiveness. By adopting automation to reduce manual tasks and deploying an integrated communication solution, managers can foster a more efficient, transparent, and user-friendly environment. Continuous evaluation and adaptation of these strategies are essential for sustaining improvements and meeting the evolving needs of stakeholders.
References
- Hammer, M., & Champy, J. (1993). Reengineering the Corporation: A Manifesto for Business Revolution. HarperBusiness.
- ISO. (2015). ISO 9001:2015 Quality management systems — Requirements. International Organization for Standardization.
- Porter, M. E. (1985). Competitive Advantage: Creating and Sustaining Superior Performance. Free Press.
- Slack, N., Brandon-Jones, A., & Burgess, N. (2019). Operations Management (8th ed.). Pearson.
- Deming, W. E. (1986). Out of the Crisis. MIT Press.
- Heizer, J., Render, B., & Munson, C. (2020). Operations Management (13th ed.). Pearson.
- Davenport, T. H. (1993). Process Innovation: Reengineering Work through Information Technology. Harvard Business Review Press.
- Robinson, S. P. (2000). Process Improvement and Organizational Change. McGraw-Hill.
- Brynjolfsson, E., & McAfee, A. (2014). The Second Machine Age: Work, Progress, and Prosperity in a Time of Brilliant Technologies. W.W. Norton & Company.
- Hammer, M. (2007). The Disruption Revolution. Harvard Business Review, 85(2), 84-94.