This article, describes Southbeach Notation which is rooted in the principles of Triz. The article, written by Howard Smith, a frequent contributor to BPTrends, explains why Southbeach was developed and outlines the design goals for its specification and subsequent software implementation. A case study is included which illustrates how the use of Southbeach, in conjunction with Triz methods, allowed a Fortune 500 company to win a major new contract
Howard Smith
Howard Smith has worked in the information technology and management consulting business for over 38 years. A sought after keynote speaker, advisor and problem solver, Howard's expertise spans early-stage technology, software engineering, systems integration, business process, services innovation, idea management and horizon scanning.
At CSC (now DXC) Howard held the roles of Director of E-Strategy (eCommerce), Global Process Manager (CSC 'e4' Enterprise Architecture), Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Director of Strategic Innovation. Howard's 'ideas' program (CSC employee and customer 'collective intelligence') added over $500M value to the company's bottom line. His innovation campaigns shaped several of the company's strategic CEO-led initiatives, including the pioneering Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability program.
Howard is the author of two influential books: Business Process Management: The Third Wave and IT Doesn't Matter: Business Processes Do. The vision set out in these works generated over three-hundred articles in the IT media and are widely credited with having stimulated a 'third wave' of business process thinking.
Howard was a founding member and elected co-chair of the Business Process Management Initiative (BPMI.org). The non-profit group, which developed the specifications of BPML and BPMN and a vision and architecture for a new style of Business Process Management System (BPMS), grew to over 230 members (BPM vendors and corporate users) under his leadership.
Howard is also the author of Southbeach Notation and advises on innovation, creativity, TRIZ practice and notation.
Howard can be reached at smithhn@gmail.com, on Twitter @smithh and @sbnotation or via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/smithh/
Software Robots for Process Automation: Fudge or a Strategic Solution?
June 1, 2015 , By
At the outset of this Article, Howard Smith asks if it’s possible to automate new Business Processes without IT. Read what Howard has to say about the potential for this technology and decide for yourself.
Thinking Processes, Capabilities and Services What’s in a Word?
October 6, 2014 , By
Howard Smith opens his Article with the statements, “Everything is process. Everything else is just the name of a specific process design.” Read Howard’s insightful Article in which he presents a convincing argument to support those statements.
The Elements of Southbeach Notation 0.9
June 7, 2011 , By
The Elements of Southbeach Notation 0.9 Green is ‘useful’, red is ‘harmful’. A dashed line is ‘insufficient’, a dotted line is ‘potentially’. These and many other visual idioms are defined by Southbeach Notation, a unique and visual approach to innovation, improvement, problem solving and other analytical tasks. This month, the authors of Southbeach, Howard Smith […]
Red, Green and Blue – Situational Improvement Using Southbeach
January 4, 2011 , By
Red, Green and Blue – Situational Improvement Using Southbeach In this Article, Howard Smith explains how Southbeach Diagrams can provide a visual technique for problem solving and for change management that everyone involved can understand and act on without losing important details. Read his detailed road map for getting all stakeholders on the same page […]
Southbeach, P-TRIZ, Now has Software Support
October 7, 2008 , By
Southbeach, P-TRIZ, Now has Software Support In the May, 2008 Howard Smith and his colleagues presented a comprehensive specification for a new visual diagramming and modelling notation: Southbeach Notation. Response to the announcement suggests that it appeals to both consultants and analysts. This Article announces the availability of the software, Southbeach Modeller 0.8, which can […]
Southbeach Notation: Improve Everything Always
May 6, 2008 , By
Southbeach Notation: Improve Everything Always In this Article well-respected thought leader, Howard Smith, with coauthors, Mark Burnett and Chrysogon Young, announce Southbeach 0.8, a new visual diagramming and modeling style. It fosters integrative thinking—situations where the problem needs to be viewed from multiple perspectives and there is a need to resolve contradictions among opposing ideas […]
Look Back to Look Forward
February 4, 2008 , By
Look Back to Look Forward Where is BPM headed in 2008? Howard Smith offers his predictions on the subject. In this Article, he provides a compelling analysis and synopsis of the past two decades of BPM and takes us forward to the future where super users will control their own computing destinies.
Process Innovation: # 10 P-TRIZ There Are Solutions in Polarities
May 1, 2007 , By
Process Innovation: # 10 P-TRIZ There Are Solutions in Polarities This month Howard Smith examines Barry Johnson’s theory involving polarities, i.e. that there are some insolvable problems. Howard disagrees. Read his challenge to that theory and his solutions to Johnson’s unsolvable problems.
Process Innovation: # 10 P-TRIZ There Are Solutions in Polarities
May 1, 2007 , By
Process Innovation: # 10 P-TRIZ There Are Solutions in Polarities This month Howard Smith examines Barry Johnson’s theory involving polarities, i.e. that there are some insolvable problems. Howard disagrees. Read his challenge to that theory and his solutions to Johnson’s unsolvable problems.
