Archive for November 2011
Document Management in the Information Age
A document can be described as a written representation of thoughts, ideas and or experiences. On the other hand, a book can be described as a collection of logically related documents. Documents come in different flavors. Some of the different types of documents include: audio documents, video documents, literary documents. In this article my references to documents will be of the literary type. Books, journals, and webpages are some of the different types of documents available to users out there. With the wealth of information available today the need for a veritable means of searching for high quality documents is imperative!
There are different methods of searching for documents. Some of the traditional ways of searching for documents or information include: Searching for books in a Public Library; Borrowing books from friends/acquaintances; Searching for books in a book store; Using search engines; and lastly Using online book portals [Library 2.0]. With the advent of the internet came about a proliferation of information: As at 2010, according to Google, there were about 130 million books in the world; As at 2011 also, there are about 267 million websites across the globe. With the overabundance of information available at the click of a mouse, a number of questions arise: how does a user find high quality documents/books? How does a user search through documents/books are at a reasonable rate? How does a user compare similar documents/books? How does a user collect documents/books? How does a user copy books/documents?
The traditional methods of information search [libraries etc.] have become deficient; a lot of the desires that book lovers all over the world want are left unfulfilled. The traditional search engines [Google e.t.c] do a better job by filtering a lot of the information for the user; however like an ex, they still leave the book lover yearning for what was missing. With unfair SEO tactics, machine based ranking of information, and other flaws, how does a user truly get to high quality content from a commercial search engine?
The concept of online book portals is the water needed to quench the fire of the relentless book lover in the search for unbiased high quality information. With book portals, collecting, preserving, organizing, selecting, bookmarking and disseminating books is a lot more convenient and a lot easier for the internet savvy user. Unfortunately, like any new ardor, there are some areas for improvement. Copyrighting issues and a lack of one primary e-book format are some of the challenges the online book portal space faces.
Quality Management – Methods of Improvement
One of the most common models for quality improvement is the FADE QI model. There are four steps to this model that cover a broad area and are easy to use.
The first step is focus. This is an essential part of this model because it establishes the basis for what will set the other three steps in motion. Here you will define and verify the process that is to be improved. Before you can make any type of change, you must first acquire a clear understanding of exactly what needs to happen and why. Once you have a clearly defined focus, you can then set further goals that will dictate the appropriate actions to be taken.
The second step is data analysis. Here, you will collect and analyze data in an effort to establish baselines, identify root causes of the problem for which a solution is being sought, and then point toward possible solutions. This process will be important to all aspects of company operation, and is a crucial step in the quality improvement process.
The next step in the process is development. This is where action plans are developed based on the data being examined. These plans are put together for the overall improvement process and encompass implementation, communication, and the measuring and monitoring of the progress and overall situation. This step is what will clearly define the actions that will need to take place in order for the changes to take effect.
The final step in the quality improvement process is execution. Here, the action plans will be implemented. This may be on a pilot basis as indicated, so these plans may be tested and further changes made if necessary. These plans are then evaluated, and ongoing measuring and monitoring systems are installed to ensure success.
These four steps are critical to the success of a company’s quality improvement which is an important part of overall quality management. They are systematic and easy to follow. The process can also be repeated on an ongoing basis so various issues will continually be recognized and resolutions put in place. This also helps to facilitate the continuity of the business, and ensures everything will continue to run smoothly for a long time to come.
Strategic Management
In strategic management, managers must know how the different parts of the organization and its environment fit together. It is crucial in understanding how they affects and influence each other.
To understand what is strategic management, we need to ask the following questions:-
How did our organization reach the situation it is today?
Why is it producing these particular products or services?
Why you are located here?
Why are you serving a particular part of the market place?
Why are you organized this way?
It boils down to decisions of course!
How these major (or strategic) decisions about products, location, structure and senior management appointments are made and how they are implemented can be defined as the process of strategic management.
Corporate planning process can be adhoc or opportunistic (less structured) approach for small firms; fashion clothing retailer. It is more logical and structured approach to making strategy for big MNCs like Glaxo, Philips, SIA etc.,
Who undertakes the strategic decisions or the corporate planning process?
CEO
Senior management team, Staff analysts (technical work)
Implementations by middle and junior managers.
Strategic Reviews and Scenario Planning on a quarterly or half yearly basis well facilitated by a professional facilitator and consultant brings about the best result in Organizational Change Development.
Organizations that do not plan strategically will ultimately lead to failure!
Don’t take it lightly if we are serious about our organizations survival and success.
PLAN, PLAN…PLAN!
If your organization needs such professional service, contact us
And we will be very glad to advise and serve you.