A Process improvement framework for an SME in the manufacturing industry

Abstract

One of the main goals of business process management (BPM) is having effective and efficient processes within an organization. Process improvement methodologies are quite often used in order to improve and manage processes continuously and thus to achieve the goals of BPM finally. Although having effective and efficient processes is very important to cope with the high competitive pressure and to finally being successful, especially SMEs do not practice BPM as often as largescalecompanies. SMEs believe that they are too small for BPM and that they do not have the necessary skills/resources for practicing it. Moreover, due to the numerous process improvement methodologies it is difficult to identify the appropriate methodology for a given situation which is an additional reason that hinders SMEs in practicing BPM. Vogel & Plötscher is a SME in the manufacturing industry which has about 30 employees. Vogel & Plötscher has been interested in process improvement topics for several years. But they have no real idea where exactly to start with respectively which methodology is the appropriate one for them to start with BPM. Attending two courses about general process improvement/management did not bring the expected benefit/knowledge, either. Furthermore, they do not know if they have the necessary resources to start with BPM as well as they are not convinced if it results in a benefit for them. Thus, the company is a typical example of a SME which wants but does not practice BPM. But how can SMEs in the manufacturing industry, like Vogel & Plötscher, start with respectively implement BPM in the organization and providing an example for other SMEs in their industry by doing this?...