The latest incarnation of Peter Drucker management and Dr. Demming improvement techniques is called six sigma. From the old Just in time and other management methods have been refocused into this latest plan.
Six Sigma is the focused on improvements based on data and a five step process. The DMAIC process encourages teams to develop a clearly defined project plan that includes a problem statement, team and resource needs, benefits and risks. The measure phase uses data to determine the extent of the problem but also allows for a baseline to be developed to determine success of the project.
Project managers deal with the holistic operational integrity of the business operations. One of the largest places where project usually develop is in the field or area of “supply chain” management.
Supply Chain management is nothing more than the scheduling of raw materials into the plant at the correct time when needed by the right number of internal resources and employees, to deliver the idea number or amount of product at the end to satisfy customer need. This is all without the having to much material or internal resources or employees or backlog of orders or inventory. Nice trick isn’t it?
Think about the ramifications if any of the pieces are working at their best. Not a pretty picture