Customer-Driven Process Improvement

Consumer markets are often extremely competitive. For example, wireless service providers or consumer electronics have come to understand that an exemplary product no longer guarantees success. When the quality or value of a product no longer sets a business apart from the competition, other factors come into play. Companies held high in customers' esteem will typically be successful. Historically, these include businesses focused on increasing efficiency in production, cost reduction, and other internal processes. However, one of the most effective ways to leave customers satisfied is to let their needs and requirements be the driving force behind business process improvements. Customer-driven process improvement is an approach where customer feedback is an opportunity for organizations to analyze their operations and processes, and find ways to improve customer satisfaction. This book outlines a six-stage framework for the identification and implementation of customer driven process improvement opportunities. The framework includes learning how to determine customer needs and translating these needs into process requirements. It also discusses how to map and measure current processes, analyze process problems, and identify improvement ideas and solutions. Finally, it includes instruction on how to successfully implement and sustain process improvements. A business is as unique as the individual processes that it uses. This book offers a foundation for successful customer-driven process improvement. It introduces the ideas and tools for identifying your customers' needs, and incorporating these needs into your processes. Doing this will give you the competitive edge that's important to thrive in contemporary marketplaces.