What makes a process non-core?
Where a process is defined as a series of steps taken to achieve a specific end, we define a non core process as one that is lacking one or all three of the following aspects:
- the rigor of repetitive actions based on a data and data driven rate of execution (i.e. Focused Execution)
- the expertise required to define all the steps and measureables necessary to minimize total cost and risk to other aspects of the process (i.e. Specialized Expertise)
- the systems necessary to ensure the process is executing and that data is being used to make it better over time (i.e. Robust Systems)
Look at any core process within a manufacturing environment, and you will see robust systems that focus on reducing variability of both the inputs as well as the desired outputs. Innovative companies focus their expertise and limited resources on the specific areas that differentiate them in the market place. And the smoother their systems are integrated with all the other processes that exist within the facility, the tighter the entire operation can run.
Non-Core processes chip away at the core, stealing resources and causing wasteful activity as companies try and contain the impact of a process with un-managed and often unknown KPI's.
In a manufacturing environment that's producing the same parts day after day, the more aspects that can be proceduralised, plugged into a system that ensures consistent and repetitive execution of that process and where someone is looking at the process KPI's over time to improve and optimize, the more profits will fall to the bottom line. Without process, without knowing and closely monitoring your KPI's, plants become trapped in a reactive mind set, where they are containing issues instead of determining true root cause. Even plants that don't want to be reactive end up implementing time based Preventative programs (PM's), which is really just a planned containment action vs one that uses data and condition based monitoring to make decisions and take action.