Author_Institution :
Harris Corp., Melbourne, FL, USA
Abstract :
Experience at Harris with managing change through Continuous Improvement (CI) has demonstrated it is a Socio-Technical process... that is, the human elements are crucial and must be addressed before pressing for structural, institutional or technological change. Harris utilizes a five-stage business improvement model. It is not a road map to problem solving, rather it is an analysis and direction-setting framework, which can be applied to virtually any business situation. We have used it to insert major technology advances, characterize multifunctional business processes, solve a problem, develop a new product, improve a service, etc. The model is easy to teach, easy to understand, and easy to follow. It guides the application of the correct set of Continuous Improvement tools at the correct time to achieve the goal.<>
Keywords :
economics; management; quality control; Continuous Improvement tools; Harris; QC; TQM implementation; direction-setting framework; five-stage business improvement model; multifunctional business processes; planning; quality improvement; Companies; Continuous improvement; Couplings; Humans; Organizational aspects; Pressing; Problem-solving; Process planning; Roads; Total quality management;
