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MetaProi: A Group Process for Business Process Improvement
Nereu F. Kock Jr.
Dept. of Management Systems
University of Waikato
Private Bag 3105, Hamilton
New Zealand
nfk@waikato.ac.nz
Project Report GP-G-1995-R5
This guide introduces and discusses MetaProi - a group
process for business process improvement (BPI). MetaProi is defined
as a set of activities, guidelines, criteria and graphical tools to be used
by business process improvement groups. BPI groups range in size
from three to seven participants who play the roles of leader, facilitator,
and group member. The group goal is to identify a business process
where improvement opportunities exist, and propose changes in order
to translate those opportunities into practical improvement.
MetaProi has three main stages: business
process definition, business process analysis, and business process
redesign. The business process definition stage is split into three
activities: identify problems, identify business processes, and select a
business process for redesign. The business process analysis stage
is split into three activities: model the business process, raise
performance information, and highlight opportunities for improvement.
The business process redesign stage is split into three activities:
search for suitable changes, incorporate changes to the BP model, and
evaluate redesign feasibility. All these activities are described as part
of the group process MetaProi and are interrelated. The main
relationship between activities is of the type predecessor-successor,
where the outputs of each activity (mainly information) are inputs for the
next activity in MetaProi.
An example that illustrates the use of MetaProi is
provided. This example involves a business process improvement
group carried out in a polytechnic. The group analyses and redesigns
the business process related to the teaching of a practical introductory
course to business computing. Group members interact via e-mail.
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The document (Word for Windows 2.0, 25 single-spaced pages) can be
retrieved by sending a message to:
nfk@mngtgate.mngt.waikato.ac.nz
The subject of the message should be (no message body needed):
@send metaproi mime
(if you want the file in the MIME format)
@send metaproi uuencode
(if you want the file in the UUENCODE format)
@send metaproi text
(if you want the file in the ASCII format - no figures)
The document is also available from:
http://tui.mngt.waikato.ac.nz/systems\ned\metaproi.htm
Should you wish a printed version of the document, please send US$ 13
by cheque or cash to the author. You will receive an unstapled copy of
the document and will be entitled to approximately one hour e-mail
support.
Regards,
-- Ned Kock Dept. of Management Systems, University of Waikato Private Bag 3105, Hamilton, New Zealand Phone: +64 7 8562889, ext. 6056 or 4561 Fax: +64 7 8384270 http://www.waikato.ac.nz nfk@waikato.ac.nz