Paul Harmon

Paul discusses “job aids,” a device that prompts human performance as a critical support element to training. Read why as he explains job aids and their function in the organization.

While process perspective has always been important, it has become ever more important as organizations become more automated and as software systems link automated activities into automated processes. Read Paul’s take on what will be the next driver of a surge in process improvement enthusiasm in 2019.

Business Process Management is about increasing productivity, and the process analyst’s job is to help companies create more and better products, faster, using the minimum labor possible. So what impact does a successful Process Improvement project have on employment? Read Paul’s Column to get his take on the issue.

Any conventional business process improvement book provides many examples of incremental process improvement techniques. Paul suggests, however, that the more automated the process is, the more process mining deserves your attention. Read his reasons for this conclusion.

A recent story on the BBC reported remarks by Mr. Andrew Haldane, chief economist of the Bank of England, warning about the threat that Artificial Intelligence (AI) posed to British workers. In this month’s Column, Paul presents the surprising results of Mr. Haldane’s inquiry into his assumption that AI would reduce the number of available jobs.

In this month’s Column, Paul provides a context for examining the current interest in AI which began in the Eighties and has recently re-emerged. One of the limits imposed on AI in the Eighties was a lack of sufficient computer power. AI was an expensive and time consuming process. Paul believes this re-emergence of interest in AI is much more grounded now that the computer power is there to accommodate it. Read why he thinks so.

Simply stated, Tesla is having trouble reaching its goal of 6,000 units per week at its Fremont plant. When the Model 3 was first announced, Musk said that the Fremont plant would use radically improved technology to make its production the most efficient in the world. That’s quite a challenge. Read Paul’s analysis of where Tesla is now and what innovations they might come up with to achieve their production goals.

Paul opines that a good process analyst must be the master of a number of different disciplines, including defining flows, identifying decision points, and determining the effects of defective environments, people or technologies that are integral to the operations of the organization. This month, Paul focuses on people problems such as those recently experienced at Starbucks – specifically, on thinking clearly about what’s involved in getting human performers to properly apply the company policies appropriately to the situations at hand.

While technology trend studies are useful, Paul thinks today’s most interesting trend is “Industry Studies.” He observes that a growing number of reports are being written that describe how companies within a given industry are likely to change. Because these studies are focused on specific industries, they are especially useful to the executives within those specific industries. Read his Column for details.