February 2014

Don’t Automate a Dysfunctional Process 2

Posted on Feb 24th, 2014 by Norm Howe

Last time I told you about the foundry General Manager and his edict to automate.  He had demanded that a robot needed to be installed and operating in the foundry or the Engineering Department would be fired.  If you're thinking about automating anything, you need to see this.  Here is the conclusion of the story:

The General Manager and the Robot (concluded)

Don’t Automate a Dysfunctional Process 1

Posted on Feb 16th, 2014 by Norm Howe

Are you thinking of automating a business process?  If not, you should be or you’re going to get left behind.  But before you do, listen to this true story.  It was told to me many years ago and it occurred many years before that. 

“Oh, forget it Howe!”  I hear you saying.  “Business isn’t the same as it used to be.  Everything’s changed.”

To that I say read on.  You’ll be amazed.  The applications of this tale were valid then; they’re valid now; and they will be valid a hundred years from now.

Why Validate?

Posted on Feb 9th, 2014 by Norm Howe

HawkingStephen Hawking said, “The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance.  It is the illusion of knowledge.”

Was he talking about process validation?  Probably not, but he could have been.  I don’t know how often I’ve been told, “We know this process works.  We’ve been making this product for decades.”