Process Analysis and Synthesis

A high-class process analysis and synthesis is required to assure that the improvement efforts are effective and that the company targets the right issues when aiming at a proper solution of the HPPI equation at the process level. How to decide which focus process to go for is in an ideal case based on considering the profit level of the company, the attractiveness of current offerings and the growth rate. Naturally, the output of Phase 1 of the generic HPPI process provides also the necessary input to this end. However, in many cases the management selects the focus process based on the gut feeling. This gut feeling factor, although largely used throughout the world, is a very serious biasing factor that needs to be properly taken care of. The real improvement objects do not necessarily coincide with this gut feeling even at the process level. In any case, it is necessary to communicate and discuss the process analysis and synthesis output properly between the concerned stakeholders. It is a necessity to formalize the output into a written document the quality of which is quantifiable. To qualify as a sub-process or phase of the HPPI process the related activities, i.e. the data collection, analysis and synthesis and creation of the required document, have to match the performance requirements both in terms of quality and resource utilization (time, costs). In addition, the output has to fit in the process improvement flow in totally four directions. This means that it has to be seamlessly integrated upstream (network analysis and synthesis), downstream (the implementation) and sideways (another process). The output should also be able to target the need of moving upwards if necessary (the strategy process and the corporate or company strategy).