Episode F.003 Operations Management Consulting & IT Practices

Operations Management Services Practice
Domain
Our knowledge base of professional services focused on improving the operational aspect of an organization, which are often targeted at a specific process or function. These services include business process re-engineering, total quality management, logistics, and project management. This Professional Services Practice includes Performance Improvement, Operations Risk, Research and Development, Customer Management, and Financial Operations.

3.1 Productivity Improvement
Efforts focused on improving specific operating functions such as: procurement, logistics, inventory, and warehouse management; manufacturing and production processes; and also sustainability efforts from the perspective of operations (e.g., green supply chain). 

• 3.1.1 Gap Analysis
• 3.1.2 Process Definition & Mapping
• 3.1.3 Beta Testing
• 3.1.4 Enterprise Deployment

3.2 Managing Risk
Projects related to assessing/disclosing major operations risks and managing risk accountability; operations risk cost/benefit analysis and mitigation planning; supply chain "event" simulation, scenario planning/modeling, and analytically based mitigation strategy development. 

• 3.2.1 Operational Policies and Procedures
• 3.2.2 Risk Assessment
• 3.2.3 Monitoring & Reporting
• 3.2.4 Internal Controls

3.3 Research & Development
The analysis and improvement of products, services and processes that a company must continuously undergo to maintain competitiveness. Organizations that do not invest in R&D risk losing their competitive positions in the marketplace, as well as potential new revenue streams from alternate applications for their products and services. Steps in the R&D process: 

• 3.3.1 Idea Development
• 3.3.2 Market Research
• 3.3.3 Prototyping
• 3.3.4 Enterprise Deployment

3.4 Customer Management
Achieving customer specifications define the difference between acceptable and unacceptable products (services) - the heart of customer enthusiasm. The ability to consistently deliver a product or service within specifications often determines whether the organization will retain the account. An improved process is achieved by better coordinating the design of the process with the specifications of the product, the service, or the experience. 

• 3.4.1 Delivery Gap
• 3.4.2 Performance Gap
• 3.4.3 Management Gap

3.5 Operational Finance
The efforts to improve the link between finance and operations, including the link between budgeting and planning; optimizing the tax efficiency of operating activities; and addressing working capital, liquidity, and cash constraints. 

• 3.5.1 Activity Based Costing
• 3.5.2 Return On Invested Capital

Technology Services Practice Domain
Our knowledge base of professional services focused on improving the way organizations store, retrieve, disseminate, and utilize information. These services include IT strategy planning, design and analysis, and implementation. As second segment of focus is the application of Science and Engineering concepts, practices, and theory to promote business needs. 

4.1 IT Strategy & Planning 
This practice reviews an enterprise's IT requirements and methods to drive innovative solutions. An IT strategic plan is based on a shared vision with stakeholders and is critical to any successful enterprise. The three building blocks for constructing an IT strategic plan are performing an IT assessment; aligning the IT strategy; and creating IT initiatives that deliver results. Key elements common to most enterprises, such as IT assessment approach, business drivers, and management and customer expectations, can serve as a baseline for constructing the IT strategic plan.

• 4.1.1 IT Assessment
• 4.1.2 Strategy Alignment
• 4.1.3 Strategic Initiatives

4.2 IT Design & Architecture
A model or concept of information used in activities that require explicit details of complex systems. Among these activities are library systems, Content Management Systems, web development, user interactions, database development, programming, technical writing, and enterprise architecture. Information architecture is a structural design of shared environments, methods of organizing and labeling websites, intranets, and online communities, and ways of bringing the principles of design and architecture to the digital landscape.

• 4.2.1 Library Systems
• 4.2.2 Content Management System
• 4.2.3 Web Development
• 4.2.4 User Interaction
• 4.2.5 Database Deployment
• 4.2.6 Programming
• 4.2.7 Technical Writing
• 4.2.8 Enterprise Architecture