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Process ImprovementsUsing SIT methods

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Complexities with Processes• Every organisation works according to a set of explicit or implicit processes

• These processes can become so ingrained in peoples’ minds that they are no longer questioned or improved

• If they are changed, it is often in small increments that do not alter the core of the processes

• This leads to stagnation and inefficiency as processes are incrementally changed to handle circumstances and contexts which they were not initially created for.

• We often do just small incremental updates in the same direction without thinking outside or inside the box (if this is what we really need)

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New Method for Process Improvements

• In this presentation, we will focus on a method called “Systematic Inventive Thinking (SIT)” to help shape up processes and future improvement projects.

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Systematic Inventive Thinking

A New Approach

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Systematic Inventive Thinking

• Systematic Inventive Thinking (SIT) • is a study or branch of innovation that focuses on “Creativity by

Constraints”. • provides a new way of looking at process (with the Form/New Process

first)• provides us with tools that helps to look at possibilities (that otherwise

didn’t seem to exist)

Existing Process

Manipulate

Virtual Product Benefits Challenges Adaptation Idea

New Process(Form) First Function Later

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Creativity by constraints

• When we have the whole world to choose from we are often lost with it but when we restrict our self to what we have then we tend to be the most creative.

•“What we are restricted by?” is what we called the closed world.

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•Closed World, in this case, is the Car & the User. •Look inside the car. What can we find that can be bent and that can provide enough traction for the wheels?•What do we have inside the car that can bend?

• Seat cushions/covers• Floor mats• Pillows (if any)

•What can provide enough traction of the 3?

• Floor mats!!!

Stuck in mud or snow?

• What do you usually do when your car tire gets stuck in mud or snow?• What if we apply the closed world principle?

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Benefits of Closed World

• By using the closed world principle, • We are forced to

• use only what is available with us around the Process/Problem• break our Functional/Structural Fixedness (conventional thoughts about different

components of a process/problem and how they can be used).• We look at possibilities that otherwise doesn’t seem to make sense

• For instance, • Removing the Test Steps off a Test Case led to Heuristic (using Subtraction)• Moving the function of Test Steps in time led to Scenario based testing

(using Division)

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SIT & Improvement Projects

• Process Changes/Improvement projects are often aimed to solve a particular problem.

• By using SIT methodology, • a good identification of what can be done to improve an existing

process or • solve any problem with any desired process can be identified in a time efficient manner along with a quicker solution using the closed world.

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SIT MethodHow do you do it?

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SIT Methodology

• SIT provides 5 different Manipulation tools

Existing Process

Manipulate

Virtual Product Benefits Challenges Adaptation Idea

Subtraction Multiplication Division Attribute Dependency

Task Unification

Remove an essential

component

Multiply and change a

component

Move a component

in space/time

Create dependency

between parameters

Increase a component

tasks

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Applying SIT Methodology to Processes

Workshop for Process

FeedbackRelated Process

Identification

Process/Problem Components

Closed World Identification

Create New Virtual Process

by ManipulationAnalyze New

Process

Process Change

Improvement Project

Refine - SIT Method Output

Input

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Input - Gather information

• First step of the process is to collect information/feedback about existing process through Workshops.

• This information gathering will happen in a bottom up fashion, starting from the end users of the process first. By doing this, • The actual way of working can be compared against its theoretical counterpart.• If there is a delta, reasoning behind that from the actual users can be obtained.• The “closed world” can be defined along the way since it’s the actual users handing out

feedback as opposed to a top down approach.

• Once all information is gather, the related processes are identified.

• At the end of the input stage “Problem & Related Process Identification” shall be done.

Workshop for Process

FeedbackRelated Process

Identification

Input

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Refining Ideas – SIT Method

• A SIT Methodology facilitator shall facilitate this part using appropriate manipulation techniques.

• The members participating in this stage shall be• Process creator• People providing input• People using the process • People providing the output & the receiver

Process/Problem Components

Closed World Identification

Create New Virtual Process

by ManipulationAnalyze New

Process

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Output - Deliverables

• Once the Refining stage is done, the output of it shall either be a • Process Change with clear reasoning• Specification for New Improvement Projects.

Process Change

Improvement Project

Refine Ideas

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Hands onWhat has been done?

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Activity ReportSIT Methodology

1) Feedback Test Leaders: Weekly Activity reports take a lot of time and effort.Project Leaders: We get the issues after 2 weeks at which time, its already too late.

2) Process involved Test Activity (within this the main related part is Reporting)

3) Problem Components Report – Qualitative part, Quantitative (issues), Test Leader – Writing the reportProject Leader – Reading the report

4) Closed world Tester, Test Leader, Project Leader, DMS, ALM, TAM’s tool, IRL.5) Manipulation Tech Subtraction: Remove the Qualitative part of the report

6) Benefits -Less time to analyze and write qualitative part. -More focus on issues-Daily supply of issues to stakeholders

7) Challenges -Issue walkthrough at the end of the activity8) Adaptation -Issue walkthrough can be done by each team at the end of everyday.

9) Final Idea Send Prioritized issue list instead of qualitative reports

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Way forward

• In my opinion, SIT can be used to create and inspire good improvement projects based on any feedback that we have about our processes.

• Taking any one of the SIT methodology with any of our process will definitely lead to a good improvement in efficiency.

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Thank you