Business Process Assessments – Stakeholder Interviews

While there are numerous business process assessment methodologies, this article will cover an ‘interview’ type assessment.  This approach is very high-level and perhaps anecdotal, but it is based on “seek first to understand”, ideally performed by an objective observer or outside consultancy First let’s list a few fundamentals that might be considered as part of…

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Be Like Elon – Examining Elon Musk’s Product Development Thought Process

“I consider one of my core responsibilities in running companies to have an environment where great engineers can flourish.” Below is a link to a video where Elon is elaborating on his product development thought process.  https://youtu.be/Jgw-_hlFQk4?si=gjKQtYs1Y08oKXRP Summarized in 5 recommendations: 1. Make requirements less dumb 2. Delete the part or process 3. Simplify or…

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Fundamentals of Managing an Outsourced (CM) Value Stream

This article will cover the management of a contract manufacturer (CM) value stream from the perspective of a company that has outsourced the manufacturing of its product.  A typical CM model is most likely “turn-key” such that the “Company” purchases the only finished goods from the CM.  Part/component purchases are a shared responsibility between the…

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