The Emergency Communications and Property Room Divisions of the Houston Police Department were certified to ISO 9001:2008 in September 2011. The Houston Police Department contracted with Business Enterprise Mapping, a Scottsdale, Arizona, consulting company that specializes in BPI to assist organizations with process improvement and certification to international standards.
The Houston Police Department (HPD), which is the largest police department in Texas, and the fifth largest in the United States, pursued ISO 9001 certification, in part, because it establishes clear guidelines and goals against which they can measure achievements. Primarily, however, HPD determined that the ISO quality management system provides the ideal business model to further the Department’s commitment to continually improve its effectiveness in serving the needs of the community. John Cantú, Management Representative for the project, said, ”As stakeholders from the Emergency Communications and the Property Divisions became genuinely engaged, untapped knowledge and expertise were leveraged to yield powerful results. Performance improvement has been realized in virtually every work process and the impetus to perpetuate mutually beneficial supplier-customer relationships is now established.”
ISO is a worldwide set of quality standards established by the Geneva-based International Organization for Standardization. Certification under ISO 9001 ensures the soundness of an organization’s processes and procedures and is a prestigious mark of quality.
John Cantú stated: “Implementing the ISO quality management system required diligence, discipline and direction. To that end, the Business Enterprise Mapping staff provided expert guidance and counsel that helped our committed HPD Team every step of the way. Without question, BEM’s methodology resonated with Process Owners and Users, and proved to be essential as we navigated through this process.”
The Houston Police Department is the largest of only a few police agencies in the United States to receive ISO Certification, including the Phoenix Police Department’s Records and Identification Bureau, also a Business Enterprise Mapping client. Regarding HPD’s zero non-conformances, Don James, President of Business Enterprise Mapping, remarked: “Only one minor observation was found by the registrar, indicating excellent preparation.” Registration services were provided by ISO registrar National Quality Assurance, USA.
Houston Police Department Receives ISO 9001:2008 Certification
Posted September 15, 2011 by Julia James at Business Enterprise MappingCategories: business process improvement, ISO, ISO 9001:2008
Tags: Business Enterprise Mapping, certification, Houston Police, ISO 9000, ISO 9001:2008, quality management system
Candidate Gingrich Promotes Six Sigma in Campaign
Posted August 18, 2011 by Julia James at Business Enterprise MappingCategories: business process improvement, Six Sigma
Tags: BPI, Gingrich, Government, Process Improvement, Six Sigma
Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House and candidate for the 2012 Republican presidential ticket, is making Lean Six Sigma part of the core of his early campaign. Gingrich explained how he envisioned applying Lean Six Sigma to federal government policies.
“An intelligent Congress in a city that wanted to be intelligent would hold hearings, bring in the experts, figure out how to fundamentally change the government,” he said in his speech.
Gingrich signed a pledge which commits candidates to leveraging Lean Six Sigma “to eliminate spending deficits and start paying down the national debt by 2017.”
Business Enterprise Mapping Moves Headquarters
Posted March 9, 2011 by Julia James at Business Enterprise MappingCategories: Process Mapping
Tags: BPI, business process improvement
Business Enterprise Mapping, Inc, a business process improvement consulting company, announced that it has moved its headquarters to Market Street at DC Ranch in North Scottsdale.
The new office is located at 20645 N Pima Road, Suite 230, Scottsdale, Arizona 85255. “Our new headquarters with larger meeting space will allow us to accommodate client demand for expanded training and education in Scottsdale,” said Julia James, VP Marketing. Business Enterprise Mapping has clients in USA, Canada, Europe and S. America.
About Business Enterprise Mapping, Inc
Business Enterprise Mapping is a global consulting company that specializes in business process improvement. The company uses a proprietary BPI methodology to deliver consulting and training programs that focus on process and drive ROI. Business Enterprise Mapping’s client base includes Fortune 500 companies, including Time Warner, Stryker, Macy’s, Kimberly Clark and Avnet.
ISO has role in rescue of trapped Chilean miners
Posted October 26, 2010 by Julia James at Business Enterprise MappingCategories: ISO
Tags: Chile, chilean miners, ISO
Most of us were transfixed by the ordeal and rescue of the miners in Chile. But did you know that the ISO standard played a part in their rescue?
J.D. Polk, Chief of Space Medicine at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, referred to the use of the ISO Standard 18738-2003 Lift (elevators) – Measurement of lift ride quality to calculate the optimal rate of acceleration of the capsule bringing the miners to the surface. Read the full article on the website of the International Organization for Standards by clicking on the link below.
ISO – News – ISO standard plays role in rescue of trapped Chilean miners.
Bolivia’s Minera San Cristobal S.A. Mine Certified to Three International Management Certifications Simultaneously
Posted February 9, 2010 by Julia James at Business Enterprise MappingCategories: business process improvement, enterprise mapping, ISO 14001, ISO 9000, OHSAS 18001
Tags: Business Enterprise Mapping, business process management, ISO 14001, ISO 9001:2008, Minera San Cristobal, OHSAS 18001, Process Improvement
Scottsdale, Arizona, February 9th, 2010 — Bolivia may be one of the most impoverished countries in South America, but its vast stores of natural resources such as lithium and silver are increasingly attracting great interest in the global marketplace. Business Enterprise Mapping, a consulting firm in Scottsdale, Arizona, recently completed a business process improvement project for Minera San Cristobal S.A., a remote mine, located 4000 meters above sea level in the Andes Mountains in southwestern Bolivia. The mine is the world’s third largest producer of silver and third largest producer of zinc, in addition to production of lead concentrates. After development of a business enterprise system and quality management system, the mine received certification on February 1, 2010 to three rigorous and highly respected international management standards: ISO 9001:2008 for Quality, ISO 14001 for Environmental and OHSAS 18001 for Safety. Auditing services were provided by TÜV Rheinland.
Despite both cultural and political challenges, the project was completed on schedule and on budget. The greatest challenge was to develop a system that could communicate processes and procedures across the barriers of language and literacy. Because the Business Enterprise Mapping BPI system is highly visual and intuitive, it was ideal for the mine’s workforce, 80% of whom are indigenous Quechua-speaking locals. “I’m happy to say that despite the unique challenges we faced in this project, we met all of the objectives and it was completed on time.” said Don James, President of Business Enterprise Mapping and senior consultant on the project.
”This was truly a team effort by all employees and another milestone towards our vision of becoming a World Class Bolivian Mining Company, “said Mike Bunch, Vice President and General Manager of Minera San Cristobal. The result attained by using the Business Enterprise Mapping BPI methodology to improve operations and quality was nothing short of amazing. The business system was significantly simplified by streamlining the total process count from 176 to 116. “We love doing this type of project,” commented Don James. “The need for what BEM and the MSC team achieved was immense. But the rewards are immense as well. The MSC team demonstrated tremendous commitment to process improvement. Because this mine is now operating efficiently and at a profit, the entire country of Bolivia is in a position to take its place in the global marketplace.
About Mineral San Cristobal, S.A. (MSC)
MSC is a Bolivian mining company. The mine is located in the department of Potosi, approximately 500 kilometers south of the city of La Paz. Since 2009, MSC has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation. MSC has made a total investment to date of 1.4 billion US dollars. These funds were invested in exploration, environmental assessments, preparation of the mine, project engineering, plant construction and development of surrounding infrastructure. There are currently 1,000 permanent workers at MSC, with about 3,000 indirect jobs. For more information on MSC, contact Javier Prado PR and Communications Manager, (591) 2-262-3400, javier.prado@minerasancristobal.com The website is www.minerasancristobal.com
About Business Enterprise Mapping, Inc.
Business Enterprise Mapping, Inc. is a leading provider of consulting and training solutions to organizations around the world. The company is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. Specializing in business process improvement projects, the company has developed a unique BPI methodology using process mapping that has been used successfully across a wide variety of industries, from manufacturing to retail, and in organizations as diverse as Fortune 100 multinationals, government agencies and high tech start-ups who share a common goal: process excellence. Business Enterprise Mapping’s proprietary process mapping methodology helps maximize clients’ existing resources and guarantees rapid implementation. For more information on Business Enterprise Mapping, Inc., contact Julia James, V.P. Marketing; toll free at (888) 515-5307. Business Enterprise Mapping, Inc. is located at 8900 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Suite D7, Scottsdale, Arizona 85255 USA. The company website is www.businessmapping.com
About TÜV Rheinland
TÜV Rheinland is a leader in independent testing and assessment services. The company offers global compliance testing and certification. The company website is www.tuv.com
Process Owner Participation in Process Mapping Projects
Posted October 14, 2009 by Julia James at Business Enterprise MappingCategories: business process improvement, Process Mapping
Tags: Process Improvement, Process Mapping, process owner
One of the most important predictors of success in a process improvement project is the level of process owner participation. We always use a cooperative approach with our clients. Process owners and mapping team members need to be trained and educated throughout the process development cycle. This will lay the foundation for continuous improvement of the newly developed business system. Bringing in a consultant to document and improve processes without the full participation and cooperation of the client’s process team will be a fruitless exercise. Only your employees, under the consultant’s guidance, can capture, develop and improve their processes.
Business Process Reengineering
Posted May 11, 2009 by Julia James at Business Enterprise MappingCategories: Process Mapping
Tags: business process improvement, Hammer, Process Improvement, reengineering
Companies often stagnate or simply fail to grow because they have become lost in overly complicated processes and suddenly realize that they no longer have control over the organization. When this happens, companies that wish to thrive will have to make improvements to their business processes and may even benefit from a “clean slate”. In the corporate world, wiping the slate clean is commonly referred to as “business process reengineering” or “business redesigning”.
Business process reengineering is a one way in which a company can make much needed improvements that will address any ineffective business processes and that will optimize it’s efficiency. The concept of “process reengineering” came into existence in the early 1990’s when Michael Hammer and James Campy published “Re-engineering the Corporation”.
In their best-selling book, they claimed that the majority of companies encountered two critical problems: reducing costs and optimizing the quality of their service. Hammer and Champy also felt that information technology would play a definitive role in companies implementing positive changes in their existing, yet faulty processes. The book proposed the idea that companies could make amazing changes and improvements to their business processes by reorganizing, restructuring and essentially starting fresh.
Principles of Business Process Reengineering
In “Reengineering the Corporation”, Hammer and Champy promoted seven principles that they believed would help companies lower expenses and increase productivity. Today, many companies adhere to these seven principles, which can best be described with one word – downsizing. When companies become too large or are saturated with redundant processes, they will usually decide to:
- cut back on their workforce
- replace workers with technology
- streamline and condense processes
- prioritize processes and eliminate processes that no longer work
Unlike the practice of business process improvement, companies that are in the midst of reengineering are starting from the very beginning, focusing on the processes they utilize today and ultimately hoping to wipe the slate clean. The overall objective for business process reengineering is to make radical changes in an organization that will lead to financial stability, continued growth and increased effectiveness.
The Importance of Business Process Improvement
Posted March 30, 2009 by Julia James at Business Enterprise MappingCategories: business process improvement, Process Mapping
Tags: economy, efficiency, improvement, performance, profitability
In order for a business to make money and to remain effective over time, leadership must continually plan and oversee the organization from the top-down. If businesses have a clear understanding of their day-to-day operations and processes, they stand a better chance of long-term success. A crucial component in understanding, solidifying and enhancing operations is a practice known as business process improvement.
Business process improvement is defined as a systematic approach that allows companies to optimize their core processes in order to obtain the most efficient results. When companies engage in process improvement, they will start to define:
- the goals and objectives of the business itself
- the purpose of the business
- who their customers really are
- what strategic improvements need to be made
- which processes should be improved or eliminated to ensure maximum efficiency and profitability
When it comes to business process improvement, the overall goal is to determine which company processes are the most efficient and what processes are problematic. The company will then be able to determine the steps it needs to take to reach its’ goals. For example, in cases where a company has inefficiencies or is spending too much money on resources that it does not need, it would evaluate how to best improve its process so that it is efficient and able to maximize its’ performance. Business process mapping is typically used to achieve these goals.
How Can Business Process Improvement Aid Company Performance?
In today’s struggling economy, more and more businesses are starting to realize that in order to survive they must improve their existing processes and address areas of concern. Often times, businesses struggle in one way or another, whether they have poor customer service or their sales are simply down. If a business wants to correct problems and optimize its performance, it will have to take a close look at its existing processes and start making improvements.
Process improvement begins when a company identifies its problem areas. The company must then document and measure how these problems are adversely impacting business and revenue. Finally, the company must manage the problem and find effective solutions. By finding solutions, the company will make necessary improvements and will ultimately perform better over time. When business process improvements are implemented correctly, the end result is usually higher performance and increased monetization.
What is Business Process Analysis?
Posted March 25, 2009 by Julia James at Business Enterprise MappingCategories: Process Mapping
Tags: business process analysis, future state mapping, process analysis, Process Improvement
In the world of business, one thing is always certain and that is change. Businesses are always looking to evolve and the key to evolving is making strategic, yet beneficial changes. Change allows companies to improve processes, to expand in new directions and to remain up-to-date with the times and technology. In order for companies to identify and recognize areas for possible change, upper management and business analysts will frequently conduct a type of review known as business process analysis.
Business process analysis is the activity of reviewing existing business practices and changing these practices so that they fit a new and improved process. By conducting process analysis of a business, companies can remain efficient, streamline work flow and become more effective in their verticals.
How Business Process Analysis Works
Every operation is comprised of process systems, then individual processes and every process is comprised of a series of tasks or activities. In order for businesses to deliver a quality product or provide a wanted service, they must utilize a set of effective processes. When a company’s processes are improved and efficient, numerous things will happen. First, the company will have reduced or lowered costs. Second, the company will perform at a higher level. Finally, the company will be able improve its bottom line.
In cases where business processes are problematic or need improving, the company will usually suffer from high overhead costs and will lack incoming revenue. In order to avoid further financial setbacks and losses, the company will then have to analyze its processes and make improvements where necessary.
The first step in business process analysis is understanding every activity within a process. This can best be accomplished through process mapping. After processes are mapped, business professionals will have a visual that they can review and analyze. They can then start to suggest effective solutions that will improve the day-to-day operations of the business. If a more aggressive approach is needed, the business may consider future state mapping. When done correctly, business process analysis can help companies implement appropriate changes that will decrease operational costs while increasing long-term profitability.
The Value of Learning Business Process Mapping
Posted January 22, 2009 by metomlinsonCategories: Process Mapping
Tags: Process Improvement, Process Mapping, process mapping training, work flow
What is the value of taking a training course on business process mapping in today’s economy? Process mapping is an in-demand skill set and a fast growing professional discipline. Streamlining operations not only improves work flow and staff communication; it offers a total organizational solution to improve overall productivity and bottom-line profitability.
Process mapping breaks down an overwhelming workload into manageable and understandable pieces. It eliminates time wasted by rework and redundancy, and adds clarity to roles and responsibilities of all team members.
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