(2) Teams will narrowly define the scope and goals of the processes to be improved.
(3) Functional processes under study will be process flowed in sufficient detail to identify all key components of the process.
(4) Working teams will be composed of all appropriate skills of people working in the process.
(5) All management levels must agree to allow team members dedicated time for the duration of this improvement effort.
(6) Teams will provide periodic progress reports to management.
(7) Teams will prepare and document a new process flow for the new (proposed) changes.
(8) Prepare documentation packages for other corporate components to review/modify/adopt.
(9) The new expertise gained by trade workers on earlier benchmarking teams will be used in future benchmarking studies to share their new skills, improve the efficiency and effectiveness of future efforts and justify the costs of the training investment.
* Processes should be documented by knowledgeable people who are currently in the process.
* If more than one process is used in the organization, only one of the processes will be documented (the most generic, common, or complete one).
* A maximum of 6 active team members will be permanently assigned to a team.
* Temporary technical assistants will be assigned to the team as required.
* Team meetings shall be held at least one day per week; more meetings will be held depending on phase or workload requirements.
* Working requirements dictate periodic heavy meeting schedules.
* Teams may be dedicated full-time to the effort, as appropriate for some studies.
* Tie into Total Quality Management or local improvement efforts in the same functional area.
* Teams provide informational and status briefings to functional managers to alert them to possible changes that may be suggested to management at study conclusions (briefings start managerial awareness and "buy in").
* Managers agree to avoid adopting any improvement ideas until studies are completed and all implications andeffects have been thoroughly analyzed.
* Identify anticipated improvements and document savings.
* Document and graphically portray for management the recommended changes.
* Provide briefings for the entire organization, as informally as possible to maximize team resources without diluting their emphasis on process improvement.
* Use the flow charts as a blue print while making changes; consult them if confusion arises.
* Full documentation packages are required.
* Provide briefings and assist others who are interested and are seriously considering adopting or adapting improvements at their location.
