Introduction I.1: The Manufacturing Edge

Manufacturing processes consume raw materials to produce a product.  In many cases you can see this transformation as it occurs.   The value of a manufacturing process is obvious.  There are university degrees in manufacturing engineering and industrial engineering.  Process design is not left to chance, but is performed through continuous improvement programs by individuals who have made it their career.

Business processes consume resources to produce a product or service.  There the similarities change.  The value of a business process is not always obvious.  There are no university degrees in business process engineering or the equivalent.  Process is typically created by the individuals responsible for executing the process.  There are very few who have made process design their career.

The impact of this laissez-faire attitude towards non-manufacturing processes is predictable.  The inefficiencies and ineffectiveness of business processes are the stuff of cartoons.  Yet the status quo continues.

There is much to be gleaned from manufacturers when it comes to process.  Global competition requires manufacturers to constantly innovate and improve their processes.   With the competitive challenges facing all organizations, the lessons manufacturers have learned are too important to ignore.