Strategic operations issues and Lean Synchronisation
TITE: Strategic Operations Issues
ASSIGNMENT TOPIC: Using your own organisation, identify a strategic operations issue or problem that needs to be addressed.
WORD COUNT: 2545
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Lean Synchronisation is a growing trend as the market becomes increasingly competitive due to customer’s/client’s expectations that a product or service be provided instantaneously. This analysis considers the application of lean synchronisation principles to the simple process of signing out mail within a law firm where each solicitor must reach a certain amount of billable units per day, thus emphasising the importance that small administrative task, such as signing out mail, needs to be streamlined whilst eliminating waste. This paper will conclude by providing some recommendations as to how a lean synchronised approach can increase the five performance objectives of the firm. It will also highlight how lean synchronisation cannot be achieved overnight, but it is a continual process.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction 1
2. What is Lean Synchronisation? 1
3. A & B Partners 2
4. Mail Signing 3
4.1 Performance Objectives 4
4.1.1 Quality 4 4.1.2 Speed 5 4.1.3 Dependability 5 4.1.4 Flexibility 5 4.1.5 Cost 6
5. Lean Synchronisation 6
6. Recommendations 7
6.1 Decrease file load of the Partners 7
6.2 Regular Solicitors Meetings 8
7. Conclusion 8
Reference 9
1. INTRODUCTION:
Lean synchronisation is an emerging practice that seeks to streamline the ‘flow of products and services’ in order to eliminate waste (Slack et al. 2012 p. 352).
The aim of this paper is to identify the strategic operational issues in relation to A&B Partners (a law firm referred to as “A&B”), more specifically with the process of signing out mail, which is referred to in Figure 1.1 below.
The paper has three sections. Firstly, the
ASSIGNMENT TOPIC: Using your own organisation, identify a strategic operations issue or problem that needs to be addressed.
WORD COUNT: 2545
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Lean Synchronisation is a growing trend as the market becomes increasingly competitive due to customer’s/client’s expectations that a product or service be provided instantaneously. This analysis considers the application of lean synchronisation principles to the simple process of signing out mail within a law firm where each solicitor must reach a certain amount of billable units per day, thus emphasising the importance that small administrative task, such as signing out mail, needs to be streamlined whilst eliminating waste. This paper will conclude by providing some recommendations as to how a lean synchronised approach can increase the five performance objectives of the firm. It will also highlight how lean synchronisation cannot be achieved overnight, but it is a continual process.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction 1
2. What is Lean Synchronisation? 1
3. A & B Partners 2
4. Mail Signing 3
4.1 Performance Objectives 4
4.1.1 Quality 4 4.1.2 Speed 5 4.1.3 Dependability 5 4.1.4 Flexibility 5 4.1.5 Cost 6
5. Lean Synchronisation 6
6. Recommendations 7
6.1 Decrease file load of the Partners 7
6.2 Regular Solicitors Meetings 8
7. Conclusion 8
Reference 9
1. INTRODUCTION:
Lean synchronisation is an emerging practice that seeks to streamline the ‘flow of products and services’ in order to eliminate waste (Slack et al. 2012 p. 352).
The aim of this paper is to identify the strategic operational issues in relation to A&B Partners (a law firm referred to as “A&B”), more specifically with the process of signing out mail, which is referred to in Figure 1.1 below.
The paper has three sections. Firstly, the