THERE IS NO WORD COUNT FOR EITHER QUESTIONS OR RESPONSES. There are a total of 2 Discussions, with a total of 4 responses .( 2 response questions with each discussion question)

Week 3:Discussion 1:

Process Management [WLOs: 1, 2, 3] [CLO: 3]

Prior to beginning work on this discussion, read Chapter 5 (except Process Control, Process Improvement, or Managing Supply Chain Processes), Chapter 6, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, and the lecture for Week 3.

Evaluate the roles suppliers and inputs have in managing processes. Provide an example.

Guided Response: Respond to at least two of your fellow students’ posts in a substantive manner, and provide recommendations to extend their thinking. Support your position by using information from the week’s readings or examples from current events and/or other scholarly or credible resources. Properly cite any references.

RESPOND TO:

#1:

A supplier of a company is very broad due to many capabilities of how they can operate. According to the text, “Suppliers include not only companies that provide materials and components, but also distributors, transportation companies, and information, health care, and education providers” (Evans, 2017). Depending on how they are invested in the company, it all goes towards the growth with everyone affiliated inheriting the benefits. The inputs within the company are focused towards expanding the supply and demand of the products being produced. “Every process receives inputs from suppliers and creates outputs for customers. The feedback loops suggest that suppliers must also be considered as customers” (Evans, 2017). With this process being repeated towards the customers, it will keep a constant flow of sales to where the profit only increases annually with no losses in a perfect world.

References:

Evans, J. R., & Lindsay, W. M. (2017). Managing for quality and performance excellence (10th ed.). Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage.

RESPOND TO:

#2

Supplier play an instrumental role in the day to day needs of a company. The supplier role doesn’t simply end with them ordering goods for a company, rather they are intertwined with regional/national distributors, planning, implementation and so much more (Evans & Lindsay, 2017). Suppliers will provide their input on the design of a project to ensure they are meeting the needs of a client, even those needs that clients didn’t know they needed. That is just one example of how a supplier can be involved in the staging and processes of a company.

Understanding how a supplier is essential to the supply management chain can help a company optimize the best practices of a company.

Week 3 :Discussion 2:

Performance Measures [WLOs: 2, 3, 4] [CLO: 3]

Prior to beginning work on this discussion, review Chapter 5 (except Process Control, Process Improvement, or Managing Supply Chain Processes), Chapter 6, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, and the lecture for Week 3.

Appraise three important process management tools. Why did you select these three? How can they be used?

Guided Response: Respond to at least two of your fellow students’ posts in a substantive manner, and provide recommendations to extend their thinking. Support your position by using information from the week’s readings or examples from current events and/or other scholarly or credible resources. Properly cite any references

RESPOND TO: #1

The three process management tools I would choose are statistical quality control (SQC), total quality management (TQM), and balanced scorecard management (Evans & Lindsay, 2017).

Statistical Quality Control is an older concept when its comes to process management tools. This method was popular during the 1940’s when the US Military used statistical charts to hold suppliers to strict standards. While this method didn’t have much of impact on the war, it did impact manufacturing industries that are still used to this very day. I chose this method because after all these years the method is still practical and used by many companies as the foundation is still relevant even in these modern times.

Total Quality Management, is the concept that focuses on maximizing customer satisfaction, which would result into lower expenses. As the saying goes, “a happy customer is a loyal customer”. In business it is significantly more expenses to attract and acquire new clients than it is to keep existing one happy. This method is very popular and used at my firm everyday. This method requires constant changes and engages all employees from top to bottom as all are relevant to the changes that needed.

My final process management tool is the balance scorecard method. I really do like this method as this is how I am evaluated at work today. It really is smart in the eyes of the company to use this method as they can drive what’s more valuable to them from highest to lowest. I’ve seen this method help change the culture of a company by directing its workforce with the scorecard method.

RESPOND TO: #2

According to the text, “Process management involves planning and administering the activities necessary to achieve a high level of performance in key organizational processes, and identifying opportunities for improving quality and operational performance, and ultimately, customer satisfaction” (Evans, 2017). The three tools I would appraise would be the flow chart, project management and support process. “As design tools, flowcharts enable management to study and analyze processes prior to implementation in order to improve quality and operational performance” (Evans, 2017). With a flowchart, the breakdown of the operations of the company is simplified to where leaders can focus on what areas needs improvement. Another example could be delays that occur with a services or products, the flow chart will also reveal where the stoppage is located, so it can be fixed quickly and continue with the normal flow. Project Management is also vital since there are always projects within companies towards expansion, marketing, products, and scheduling. It involves many functions within the company to be successful with its end goal of whether to promote a new product or establish a new service provided by the company. Support process is also vital to success since it used for daily operations. All the services needed for employees to work is necessary for the company to continue operations. It may seem like it is not needed since it could be equipment or accommodations for the employees. The quality of life for an employee should still be a top priority to keep their morale high for higher productivity